The Gifts of Christmas: Matt. 2:11

I. The Royalty of Jesus vs. 11a

A. Gold represented wealth/royalty. “Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, gold I bring to crown him again, King forever, ceasing never, over us all to reign.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

B. Though born in a manger, Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. John 18:36

John 18:36 NASB95

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.”

C. We should live like it, by submitting ourselves in every area of our lives to Christ.

II. The Holiness of Jesus vs. 11b

A. Frankincense represented purity/holiness. This is what you would have smelled in the temple. “Frankincense to offer have I; incense owns a Deity nigh; prayer and praising, voices raising, worshiping God on high.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

B. The one who Isaiah saw on the throne, came to Earth, and was just as holy. Isaiah 6:1-4

Isaiah 6:1–4 NASB95

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

C. This happen in an ordinary house. This would make the house smell like the temple. It would have baffled the neighbors, since there would have been an entourage with the Magi. Worship and honoring of Jesus happens not just in church but in the everyday. If it doesn’t happen in the everyday, it doesn’t happen at church.

III. The Death of Jesus vs. 11c

A. Myrrh represented death/burial. This is what their graves smelled like. “Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom; sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, sealed in the stone-cold tomb.”- John Henry Hopkins Jr.

B. Even in this joyous worship service, the shadow of the cross loomed large. Jesus came to be born in order to die, and be resurrected.

C. This is where our everyday life should be. Worshipping Jesus, dying to self, letting Christ live His life through us. Gal. 2:20

Galatians 2:20 NASB95

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.