The first people to come and see Jesus when He was born were the shepherds. An angel of God appeared to them and gave them the tidings of great joy. The glory of God surrounded them and they saw a heavenly host praising God. These shepherds came with haste to see Jesus, but it is sad to observe that, unlike the wise men, they gave absolutely nothing to Jesus. The Bible does not also say that they bowed before Him or worshiped Him.
The wise men came to see Jesus from a faraway land—that itself was a sacrifice. And when they saw the child Jesus, they “fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt 2:11).
The shepherds did not offer anything to Jesus and they are not called wise men. However, the ones who came and worshiped Jesus and offered their treasures to Him are called wise men. Today too, many come to Jesus like the shepherds—to receive a blessing; they cannot be called wise men. But those who give their treasures to Jesus and worship Him are indeed wise men. Note that while those who gave gifts to Jesus are called wise men, the rich man who kept everything to himself is called a fool! (Lk 12:20).
Presenting gold, frankincense and myrrh show offering the spirit, soul and body to Jesus. Gold, frankincense and myrrh also signify acknowledging Christ as king (gold), priest (frankincense) and prophet (myrrh). After the wise men worshiped Jesus, offering Him their spirit, soul and body and acknowledging Him as their king, priest and prophet, they did not have to meet Herod or obey him any more—although he had demanded it (Matt 2:8,12). Once we accept Christ as our All-in-all, Herod or Satan has no authority over us and we are free from his power.
The wise men came to see Jesus from a faraway land—that itself was a sacrifice. And when they saw the child Jesus, they “fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (Matt 2:11).
The shepherds did not offer anything to Jesus and they are not called wise men. However, the ones who came and worshiped Jesus and offered their treasures to Him are called wise men. Today too, many come to Jesus like the shepherds—to receive a blessing; they cannot be called wise men. But those who give their treasures to Jesus and worship Him are indeed wise men. Note that while those who gave gifts to Jesus are called wise men, the rich man who kept everything to himself is called a fool! (Lk 12:20).
Presenting gold, frankincense and myrrh show offering the spirit, soul and body to Jesus. Gold, frankincense and myrrh also signify acknowledging Christ as king (gold), priest (frankincense) and prophet (myrrh). After the wise men worshiped Jesus, offering Him their spirit, soul and body and acknowledging Him as their king, priest and prophet, they did not have to meet Herod or obey him any more—although he had demanded it (Matt 2:8,12). Once we accept Christ as our All-in-all, Herod or Satan has no authority over us and we are free from his power.
Those who worship Jesus giving Him their all are still wise men. Dear reader, are you a wise man or a foolish man?
– Taken from Morning Manna – Thoughts for Daily Devotion
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