Today's Devotional Thought
December 06, 2010 by Wendy Foreman
What is Your Gift?
Most of the people in the Christmas story are ordinary people. But, in today’s verses, we are introduced to the Magi or the Wise men. Not a whole lot is known about them, but we do know that these men were not ordinary men. They were said to be men in high standing from Parthia which was near Ancient Babylon. I’ve often wondered how they knew what the star represented. As I researched it a bit, I discovered there are several ways they could have known what the star meant. They could have been Jews who stayed in Babylon after the exile and knew the Old Testament predictions of the Messiah’s coming. They could have been astrologers who studied ancient manuscripts from around the world. Finally, they could have had a special message from God directing them to the Messiah. Some scholars believe that each of the Wise men was from a different land, thus, representing the entire world bowing down to the Messiah.
We have seen in these verses and heard that the Wise men searched the Messiah out. They so wanted to see him and worship him. Think about it. It took them months to get to the location where Jesus was and this would mean that they more then likely left behind their families and persevered through the deserts and other terrain to arrive at their final destination. I believe these men knew that seeing this small child would change their lives forever.
When they arrived in Bethlehem and saw the child they worshipped Him and they presented him with gifts. They were in awe. Did you ever stop and think about the gifts Jesus was given from these Wise men? Gold is obviously something you would give a King, which is understandable. He was and is the King of Kings. The next gift was Myrrh which was used in death to embalm bodies. Was this foreshadowing of his death for our sins? The final gift was frankincense and this was used by the priest in the temple during worship. Did the Wise men understand what all these gifts represented as they presented them to Jesus?
How about you? What gifts are you giving to Jesus this season? As we examine the Wise men, we see them seeking Him and presenting Him with gifts that represent His splendor and His purpose in coming. They sought the King of Kings who was going to be the Savior of the World.
Have you searched Him out and found Him? Or are you someone who has been searching for Him and need to come before Him and give Him your life? Maybe you need to seek Him and give Him more of yourself this year. What better gift is there to give this Christmas to Jesus than yourself? Seek Him, just as one of the Wise men, and worship Him today with your best gifts.
December