Matthew 2:1-12

On this day, in that back alley in Bethlehem some 2000 years ago – Jesus Christ was born – and there came to Jerusalem Wise Men from the East.

It may seem strange to us that these men should set out from the East to find a king. However at the time when Jesus was born, there was in the world a strange feeling of expectation, a waiting for a coming king.
The historian Tacitus tells of this belief: “….there was a firm persuasion…that at this very time the East was to grow powerful, and rulers coming from Judaea were to acquire a universal empire” (Tacitus, Histories, 5:13). Josephus, the Jewish historian of the time wrote of the belief of the Jews that …”about that time one from their country should become governor of the habitable earth” (Wars of the Jews, 6:4, 5). Virgil, the Roman poet, writing his Fourth Eclogue, which is known as the Messianic Eclogue, spoke about the ‘golden days to come’.

The story of the Wise men from the East is exactly the kind of thing that could easily have happened in the ancient world. When Jesus came into the world there was an eagerness of expectation. Men and women – were waiting for God. They had discovered that they could not build the golden age without God. The Jews, as we know, were looking for a Messiah – one who would save them from captivity and godless domination – and enable them to regain their lost position as “God’s chosen people”. It was to a waiting world that Jesus came, and when He came, the ends of the earth were gathered at his cradle.
It was the first sign and symbol of the world conquest of Christ.

These men, skilled in philosophy, medicine and natural science, able to understand the signs of the times – and at their best they were good and holy men, who sought for truth. It was a star that guided them on their long journey – as if God was breaking into His own order and announcing a special thing.
When they came – they came with gifts. Just as we have gifts for our children, grandchildren in remembrance of that first Christmas.

But what strange gifts to give a baby. (My wife loves to give gifts to new arrivals – usually tiny clothes, a bib, a one piece costume – something useful).
These so called wise men – gave Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

1. They gave Gold

Seneca tells us that in Parthia it was the custom that you must bring a gift whenever you came to visit a king. And gold, the king of metals, is the fit gift for a king. Jesus – the man born to be king was to reign, not by force, but by love; He was to rule people’s hearts, not from a throne of power, but from a cross of sacrifice. But King He was – born like any other King coming into the world – but He was unique – for He was born of Mary, impregnated not by a man, but by the Spirit of God. They came a knelt before Him – they worshipped Him in reverence – and the essential humbling for us must be the same. It must be not only in bowing the knee – but also in bowing our hearts.

2. They gave Frankincense

It was in the Temple worship at the sacrifices that the sweet perfume of frankincense was used. This is the gift for a god – it is the incense of adoration. It was the priest who used the incense to prepare the way for men and women to reach God. In a new and wonderful way the gap between God and humans has been bridged in Jesus Christ. Through Him we can now enter the very presence of God.

These wise men – the Magi as they are often called – Kings themselves even –

Gave Gold for a King
Frankincense for a Priest and

3. They gave Myrrh

Gold and Frankincense we can understand – but why give myrrh?

These wise men brought myrrh because in their country it was valued as a reliever of pain. Myrrh was a drug. When Jesus was in agony on the cross they brought him wine mixed with myrrh. Here is the most precious gift from their nation. They were able to remove the world’s pain, but at least they could ease it. It is kind to offer drugs to people when you cannot do anything better for them. The drink offered to Jesus was a humane act in the midst of a barbaric scene.

In the time of Christ – fear dominated the world. Fear of pain for which there was no relief, was one such fear (which has largely been removed from us due to the availability of pain relieving drugs). Fear of God as Judge was another (and still is current for some who have not fully understood the nature of the Father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ). Fear of the future – and who will dominate us next – what Tyrant will arise and take our children from us and force us to leave our beloved land and Temple – removing them, as they thought, from the very presence of God. At least, with Him, as His chosen people, there was some hope.
We can ease the pain of a dying person – but it is in Christ alone that all fear is removed. He alone can give us the gift of eternal life.

On thing more – and for us today – the most important of all. Myrrh was the gift for one who was about to die, because Myrrh was used for embalming. Because of this it was a treasure. But why embalm? In order to preserve the one who is dead.
In Moscow there has been for years the embalmed body of Lenin. But it is here that God gives something greater. He takes the myrrh we offer and says that it is quite unnecessary for this “mortal shall put on immortality.” “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “In Christ shall all be made alive.” The love Incarnate of Christmas becomes linked with the Vitality and Victory of Easter morning. For Jesus came into the world to die – to be our Saviour!3.

Holman Hunt has a famous picture of Jesus. It shows Jesus at the door of the carpenter’s shop in Nazareth. He is still only a boy. The setting sun is shining in at the door, and the lad, Jesus, has come to the door to stretch his limbs which have become cramped leaning over the bench. He stands in the doorway with his arms outstretched, and behind him on the wall, the setting sun throws his shadow, and it is the shadow of a cross. In the background there stands Mary, his mother, and as she sees the shadow there is fear of the coming tragedy in her eyes. Her son – is going to become the Saviour – but the mission for whom he came meant his life was to be cruelly given to “save people from their sins”.

Gifts given for the King – Gold for a true King
– Frankincense for a perfect Priest
– Myrrh for the supreme saviour of the world.

Saviour He is – and King he is!

I close with this wonderful description – from an unknown Negro preacher. I have actually heard this from the preacher by means of film – I can only bring you the words – as best I can – and seek to share with you something of the rhythm and intensity with which it was first delivered.

He’s my King! Do you know Him?

The Bible says my king is a seven (7) way King.

He is the King of the Jews – that’s a racial king. He is the King of Israel – that’s a national king. He is the King of righteousness. He is the King of the ages. He is the King of heaven. He is the King of glory. He is the King of kings and He is Lord of lords. That’s my King.

Well I wonder do you know Him? The Psalmist said “The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork”. My King is a sovereign King. No means of measure can define His limitless love. No far reaching telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of His shoreless supplies. No barrier can hinder His blessings. He is everlastingly strong. He is entirely sincere. He is eternally steadfast. He is empirically powerful. He is impartially merciful.

Do you know Him? I wonder if you know Him. He is the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of the world. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centrepiece of civilisation. He stands in the solitude of himself.

He is august and unique. He is unparalleled and unprecedented. He is the loftiest ideal of literature. He is the highest personality of philosophy. He is the miracle of the ages. Yes He is, Yes He is.
I wonder if you know Him today? He sympathises and He saves. He strategies and sustains. He guards and guides. He heals the sick and cleanses the leper. He forgives the sinner. He delivers the captive.

He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged, and He rewards the diligent.

I wonder if you know Him today? Well, this is my King. He is the King. He is the King of knowledge. He is the well-spring of wisdom. He is the doorway to deliverance. He is the pathway to peace. He is the roadway to righteousness. He is the highway to holiness. He is the gateway to glory.

Do you know Him? Well, I want you to know Him today. His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His life is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteousness. His yoke is easy. His burden is light.
I wish I could describe Him to you but He is indescribable. He is incomprehensible. He is invincible. He is irresistible. Well, you can’t get Him out of your mind, and you can’t get Him off of your hands and you can’t outlive Him, and you can’t live without Him.

The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him but they found they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find fault in Him, and Herod couldn’t kill Him, and death couldn’t handle Him, and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.
“And thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever & ever & ever & ever. And how long is that? Forever & ever & ever & ever and after all the forevers, amen & amen & amen. That’s my King!

I wonder if you know Him today. To the baker He is the bread of life. To the jeweller He is riches untold. To the florist He is the rose of Sharon. To the Christian He is the Lord & Saviour, & to the sinner He is the Lamb of God slain from the foundation of the world.

If you are lonely this morning He wants to be your friend. If you are lost today He wants to be your guide. If you are hurt today, He wants to be your physician. He wants to touch your life and change it for all eternity. Yes, that’s my King. I wonder if you know Him today?
(From the Internet – an unknown Negro preacher – Nov 2002)

Let us pray: God of Love – Father of Jesus our Saviour, accept the worship we bring to you today. We offer ourselves to you – as those wise men offered their gifts. They may not have fully understood what each gift meant – just as we do not full understand what it means to give our lives to you. It is the best we have. As our Saviour and King – we must give our best today – and always.
We know you will accept our gift in the spirit of our giving.

Accept our praise and our heartfelt thanks – for the salvation we have in your son Jesus, our Saviour and King. In whose name we pray – Amen

Barrie Sutton December 2005