Midweek Advent 2 (2023)

A Gift of Gold

My Brothers and Sisters in Christ, tonight we look at the first of the gifts that the Magi bring. Gold, a precious commodity even in today’s world. It is chased after, desired, and valuable. It has been that way for centuries. So on the one hand, we can easily think of the first gift as simply being about offering up some money to the poor family, and something valuable up to this Newborn King as the wisemen came to worship Jesus. But in Holy Scripture Gold was used in a particular place, and it is no mistake that it is brought by people who bow down and worship Christ.

We grow up knowing that Gold is valuable, but why is it valuable? Is it just rare? Well, Gold is used in the electronics industry and you can find gold on the processor pins in your phone, computer, and in many of the different parts that make up those devices. So it must conduct electricity wonderfully, so in a trivia contest, the question was what is the most conductive metal, I confidently answered gold, and was wrong. It’s silver. I didn’t believe it, I went and looked it up, but sure enough silver is more conductive than gold. Silver is cheaper than gold too, so why aren’t we using that in the electronics industry?

Well the reason is because one of the properties of Gold, is that it doesn’t rust, it doesn’t tarnish. It doesn’t react chemically. Which makes it ideal for electronics where they are concerned about connections breaking or separating So even though it conducts electricity not as well as silver, the connections won’t break. It is this very property of Gold why God would have them use it in making the tabernacle.

It wasn’t just because its soft and can be worked, though that was nice. Gold doesn’t tarnish. The gold was used in the tabernacle and what metal would be better to be in the presence of the holy and righteous God. Who is eternal and whose righteousness and holiness never fades and whose glory shines. So Gold was used in the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, and the ark of the covenant. In the days of Solomon, the temple was lined on inside with Gold. They tell us that he used 600 talents, or 45,000 lbs of gold. It would be worth over 1.3 billion today.

When the people of God would go into worship, they would be surrounded by that which does not rust. The glory of God does never fades away, and so this precious metal which doesn’t tarnish or fade was used to remind people of His incorruptible holiness.

But as great as gold is, it pales in comparison with the treasure that is found in Bethlehem. For Peter says, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, (1 Peter 1:18)

Now you might think wait a second, didn’t we just talk about how Gold doesn’t tarnish or rust, so why do the scriptures speak about gold perishing. This is speaking in poetic terms to emphasize the great treasure that we have in the word. For we were purchased with the precious blood of Christ, who lives and reigns forever.

The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. That word Dwelt, the root of that word is intriguing, it comes from σκηνη which means tent or tabernacle. Just as the Word of God dwelled in the midst of the people of Israel at the tabernacle, here is the Word which is more precious than gold, who tabernacles amongst us.

So here the wisemen bring a gift that was for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. So when the wisemen bring a gift to this child born King of the Jews. He is where God meets His people on earth. So gold which which is pure, which is unfading, which was used to glorify the holiness and righteousness of God is given for this child.

Now Jesus is much more precious than Gold, for He is God in the flesh, and He is the one who has the Words of eternal life. When Gold perishes, Christ’s word endures. That is why given the choice between a basket of gold coins, and a bible, we ought to take the Bible, but we know the temptation. To reach for earthly treasures, instead of heavenly ones.

But we are tempted to treat the Word of God Lightly because we are of the flesh. But listen to the Psalmist and take it to heart. These Psalms were sung in the temple of Solomon, and even though they were surrounded by more Gold than you or I will ever see. It is the Word that endures.

For the Ark of the Covenant with all its gold was lost, the Temple of Solomon destroyed, but we still have the Word of God 3000 years later. This is far more precious to us than all the earthly treasures for those fade away.

You do not belong to this world, to be ensnared and put your trust in earthly riches. It ought not to be, especially if wisemen who were not of Israel were able to figure out that this child was worth worshiping. They didn’t even know about the miracles he performed, or his resurrection. They were willing to part with earthly treasure and offer up worship to Him.

So my Brothers and Sisters in Christ, this is why we have the gift of Gold brought to Jesus. He is the God in the flesh, and the place where the Word Tabernacles with His people. What we have in that word is more precious than silver or gold, for when Gold and silver perish, the Word and promise of God endures. That is why we find in Jesus a hope that surpasses all understanding. Let join together in our worship and praise of Him who is the life and light of men, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.