A Lesson on Giving

A Lesson on Giving

Mtt. 2:1-12

Introduction: There are many lessons taught in these verses. This is one of the most exciting passages regarding the coming of Christ. God in His grace and mercy teaches us the meaning of Christmas and there is a very important lesson we see in this passage. It is the giving of the wise men. There is no way we can tell how many wise men there were, but we know of three gifts they gave.

During this season we think of giving.

They arrived at the house where Joseph and Mary had gone. This was probably a year later where they came seeking the King v.2. Perhaps you are here today seeking. Wise men still seek Him. When these wise men arrived, they worshipped Him and brought presents. The lesson on giving is seen in the gifts.

I. Gold-speaks of His birth

A. Its value

1. It was considered in the ancient world a part of the household treasures.

2. They used gold as the standard of treasuring wealth.

3. The value of this prophesied birth in the Scripture is priceless in value-a Savior hast to be sinless if He were to give salvation to the lost Mat 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

4. There is no birth like this one-it is totally unique-one of a kind-we commemorate this time of the year the uniqueness of His birth.

B. Its durability

1. God is considered that which will last a lifetime 1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

2. Jesus is before and always will be our Savior Rev 1:18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

C. Its purity

1. Gold which is tested and tried is purified. Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job knew his life would not count unless he had been tested)

2. Jesus’ birth was that which if tested and tried, He is still pure.

3. This birth came through purity and it is that which promises us our salvation.

II. Frankincense-speaks of His life

It is gum derived from trees growing in Arabia. They would cut the bark and collect the tears from the bark. It would be ground up and used.

A. Its mandateMal. 1:11Mal 1:11 For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

1. The priests were to give an offering in the Lord’s name—used in sacrifices for fumigation-the idea of the aroma reaching the heavens.

2. Jesus came to give Himself an offering for sin by God’s authority.

3. Jesus came to offer His life to His Father.

B. Its message

1. Incense is used as a symbol of prayer Exo 30:7-8 And Aaron shall burn thereon sweet incense every morning: when he dresseth the lamps, he shall burn incense upon it. (8) And when Aaron lighteth the lamps at even, he shall burn incense upon it, a perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations—it is white which is symbol of pure life-to impact heaven in prayer, our lives need to be clean Psa 66:18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:

2. The function of the priest was to keep the incense up before the Lord.

3. Jesus Christ is the essence of prayer—if a man is to come into the presence of God, he must be clean by the blood of Jesus Christ.

4. The message is Jesus’ life is lived through me Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

5. The only way we can please God is through the Lord Jesus Christ.

III. Myrrh-speaks of His death

The dried gum of a species of a balsam tree growing in Arabia. The gum resin has drops which are expelled. They are dry and brittle which they cut off the tree.

A. Its prophecy Isa. 53

1. Jesus’ death is clearly outlined in this passage.

2. The myrrh points to His death because they would remove it from a tree.

3. Jesus suffered as the Savior and they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh as an anesthetic.

4. Nicodmeus brought a mixture of myrrh to anoint his body Joh 19:39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.

5. The wise men knew the prophesies and knew that Baby had come to die.

B. Its victory

1. They took Jesus’ body after death and embalmed Him.

2. However, death could not hold Him, He arose.

Conclusion: These three gifts all centered around the giving of Christmas. Each gift had a message and pointed to the Lord Jesus. Are we willing to give to Him? I mean our talents, our tithes, and our time.