The Best Gifts - Matthew 2:11

Matthew 2:1–12 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: 6 “ ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” 7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Introduction

It is important that as we celebrate Christmas we do not do so without recognising the amazing fact that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity took our flesh born to Mary in Bethlehem.

Some did recognise this at the time. Most totally ignored it, Herod tried to blot it out. Wise men from the east sought him out. It is these wise men on whom we concentrate today.

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1. The Wise Men v1

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Matthew 2:1 ESV

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem,

a. Who Were They?

We don’t know.

b. They Were Spiritually Diligent

Matthew 2:2 ESV

2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

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Matthew: Crossway Classic Commentaries 4. Spiritual Diligence

It would be well for all professing Christians if they were more ready to follow the example of these good men. Where is our self-denial? What pains do we take about means of grace? What diligence do we show about following Christ? What does our religion cost us? These are serious questions. They deserve serious consideration. The truly “wise,” it may be feared, are very few.

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c. They Had Great Faith

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Matthew 2:2 ESV

2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

Sadly faith gave way to sight.

Matthew 2:9–10 ESV

9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.

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2. Worshipped and Honoured the Lord v11

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Matthew 2:11 ESV

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

a. Worshipped

Matthew 2:11 ESV

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’Incarnate Deity. (Charles Wesley)

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How much of this truth the wise men understood we do not know. We do know, though, that on seeing him they cast themselves to the ground and worshiped him; literally, “and having fallen they prostrated themselves before them.” They revere him as the Messiah, the king of the Jews. Hendriksen, W.

b. Honoured Him

Matthew 2:11 ESV

11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

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i. Gold

Gold represents royalty. Used extensively in The Tabernacle and Temple.

Psalm 19:8–10 ESV

8 the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; 9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. 10 More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.

Psalm 119:72 ESV

72 The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

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ii. Frankincense

Frankincense was a valuable and expensive sacred oil used in temple rituals and celebrations.

traditionally, frankincense reminds us of Jesus’s divinity because the smoke of burning incense rises to heaven. Some scholars believe frankincense symbolizes Jesus’s salvific and priestly function to humanity and his role as redeemer of Israel,

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iii. Myrrh

The gift symbolizes Christ’s death, making it the most somber of the three gifts presented by the Magi. Myrrh was used in embalming—Nicodemus employed a hundred pounds of it combined with aloes to prepare Jesus’ body for burial.

From the capital and King Herod they had come to this poor house. They treat it as the grandest of palaces and this little child as the most glorious king. How could they do this? Their hearts must have beheld what their eyes did not see. Lenski, R. C. H.

Conclusion

Let us not be ashamed to believe in Jesus and confess him, though all around us remain indifferent and unbelieving. Have we not a thousand times more evidence than the wise men had, to make us believe that Jesus is the Christ? Beyond doubt we have. Yet where is our faith? Ryle, J. C.