OPENING OUR TREASURES

“… they threw themselves down before him, worshiping. Then they opened their presents and gave …”    Matthew 2:11, Living Bible

These were “the wise men” as we have traditionally called them, but maybe it’s better to think of them as respected scholars from the east who had studied all the signs and fully knew the significance of the birth of this baby. They knew He was unique so much so that they traveled a great distance to fall before Him and “open their treasures.”

The gifts they gave—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—are full of great meaning. Each gift represents something special about Jesus; each matches some characteristic of Jesus and His work. I’ll explain.

Gold is a gift to a king. Jesus was not “born to be king.” No, Luke says He was “born king”—there is a difference. He never had to be made a king; He was born king! And we submit to Him as King of all kings! Queen Victoria once said after a Sunday service when the minister spoke on the second coming of Christ, “I look forward to laying my crown at His feet!” I pray each of us has the same thoughts.

Lord Nelson, the British admiral, was known to be gracious to those he defeated. In one great naval victory the conquered admiral was brought on board Nelson’s flagship to face him.

He outstretched his hand to shake, but Nelson’s hand remained at his side, and he stood fully erect, almost wooden, as the defeated approached. “Your sword first,” he said, “and then your hand.” And so must it be with Christ. We come to a king! Submitting to His total control over us is our role. He is Lord of lords, King of kings!

Frankincense was used in temple worship as a sweet perfume. It is a gift given to a priest. The word priest originally meant “one who builds a bridge across,” and Jesus is our priest, building a bridge between man and God. Jesus is the bridge builder or high priest; He opens the way into the presence of God. So, Frankincense is a most proper gift.

Myrrh was used to embalm a dead person. It is the gift presented to one who will die. Jesus came to die for mankind after He had lived for them, for He was “slain before the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). We never, even at Christmas, should lose sight of the cross.

So, gold for a king, frankincense for a priest, and myrrh for one who was to die—these were the treasures they gave Him on knees bent in His presence. It was their highest tribute. What is mine and what is yours? At His birth then, he was recognized as the true King, the perfect Priest, and the dying Savior! Always recall the significance of the gifts!

“They opened their treasures …” Let’s say it another way—these great scholars had a strong instinct that they were to fall before Him and worship Him with their very best. Of course, to study this and to take it to our hearts, we get the beginning of the idea of giving at Christmas. This is the source of the very thought.

We, however, totally lose the meaning if we do not give a gift exclusively to Jesus himself. Therefore, stop and ask, what gift will I give this Christmas to Jesus exclusively? Open your treasure!

Ever since the first Christmas, the world’s wisest people, both men and women, have come to Jesus and fallen before Him to worship Him, and they have opened their treasures in His presence. It’s the wisest thing we could do. Also, this and every Christmas come and adore Him.

But please think evangelistically about Christmas. Think about bringing someone to Jesus as your gift to Jesus. The great apostle Paul declared that exactly that was what he wanted to give, not just one such gift but many. In Romans 15:16 he expressed his heart, “… I bring you the good news so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit.” Paul had in mind millions throughout the known world of his day brought and laid before Jesus. What a tribute!

Here is international evangelism laid out. It was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 66:20 that some day people from distant lands from all nations would come and worship God “as an offering to the Lord.” Here, worship and witness are brought together, united.

It is when we worship, truly glorifying His name, that we are driven forth to proclaim His name to the world beyond. And when, as a result of our witness, people come or maybe are brought to Christ, we offer them as an offering to God and as a gift to Him.

Let our worship lead to witness! John Stott said, “All evangelists are priests, because they offer their converts to God.”

I know an evangelist who after people respond at the close of his sermon kneels and prays, “Lord, I offer these to You, and, Jesus, I lay each at Your feet as a tribute and a treasure.” Think of it this way—is there a higher tribute to Jesus than that? Even your giving this Christmas should bring people to Him—so give with that in mind.

Think of those wise men coming to kneel before Jesus. Now multiply that by a hundred million, and then do that number again and again. See them spread in all directions farther than the eye can see, all coming to fall before Jesus like these three. Cannot you see it with me?

With that in mind let me quote Isaiah again:

“I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west. I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name …” (Isaiah 43:5-7, NIV)

This is what was called “God’s global glory” by John Piper. He refers to verses like this one, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15) Yes indeed, God’s global glory!

Glance at the manger but then lift your eyes and see entire tribes and tongues, whole countries and cultures coming to submit and bow before their Lord, saying together, “Come, let us adore Him.”

From north to south the princes meet,
To pay their homage at His feet.

Isaac Watts

Let me quote the words of Lenny LeBlanc’s worship song entitled We Bow Down. It fits like a hand in a glove:

     Princes and paupers, sons and daughters,
     Kneel at the throne of grace.
     Losers and winners, saints and sinners,
     One day will see His face.

     Summer and winter, mountains and the river,
     Whisper the Savior’s name.
     Awesome and holy, Friend to the lonely,
     Forever His love will reign.

     And we all bow down, Kings will surrender their crowns,
     And worship Jesus,
     He is the love, unfailing love,
     He is the love of God.

And recalling Philippians 2:10, which says, “every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess,” I add my additional verse:

     A throne now exalted, with angels attending,
     And millions who rejected His name,
     The cruel dictators and every Christ hater
     Will be brought to submit and acclaim.

Yes, the hour is surely coming, and now is when we all, absolutely every one, will bow down and every king will surrender their crowns! We will see Jesus honored before all the universe!

In preparation of that great moment of adoration, let us open to Him our treasures now! They threw themselves down before Him, worshiping. “Then they opened their presents and gave.”

We would be delighted for you to tell us what you think of this challenging Christmas message.  Have a blessed Christmas with your family.

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