They entered the house where the child and his mother, Mary, were, and they fell down before him and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11
For months, maybe years, the wise men had been searching for this child. Now, at long last they will see Him. What awe and wonder these men must have felt as they walked into that house. They had carefully selected the gifts they would give the Messiah. Gold signifying and honoring His kingship; frankincense signifying and honoring His divinity; and finally myrrh – used for embalming, foreshadowing His sacrificial death. But, before they offered Him their gifts, they offered themselves first. Upon entering the house, they fell down before Him, and worshipped Him. Not a simple greeting or a formal introduction. No! These respected Magi prostrated themselves in humble adoration for the Messiah.
Worship must precede offering. Our gifts mean nothing to Jesus if they do not flow from our heart’s devotion to Him. The Bible tells us that what God wants most from us is that we love Him with all our heart, all our understanding, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (See Mark 12:28-34). This is the first and most important gift we have to give Jesus.
Lord Christ, I come to You this season not with gold or incense but with my heart, my mind, and my strength. Like the wise men, I am searching for You so that I might worship You more and more each day. Amen
For months, maybe years, the wise men had been searching for this child. Now, at long last they will see Him. What awe and wonder these men must have felt as they walked into that house. They had carefully selected the gifts they would give the Messiah. Gold signifying and honoring His kingship; frankincense signifying and honoring His divinity; and finally myrrh – used for embalming, foreshadowing His sacrificial death. But, before they offered Him their gifts, they offered themselves first. Upon entering the house, they fell down before Him, and worshipped Him. Not a simple greeting or a formal introduction. No! These respected Magi prostrated themselves in humble adoration for the Messiah.
Worship must precede offering. Our gifts mean nothing to Jesus if they do not flow from our heart’s devotion to Him. The Bible tells us that what God wants most from us is that we love Him with all our heart, all our understanding, and with all our strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (See Mark 12:28-34). This is the first and most important gift we have to give Jesus.
Lord Christ, I come to You this season not with gold or incense but with my heart, my mind, and my strength. Like the wise men, I am searching for You so that I might worship You more and more each day. Amen
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