New Years Week – Tuesday
When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh (Matthew 2:10–11).
Various interpretations are placed by Bible students upon the significance of the three gifts which the Wise Men from the East presented to the young Savior. Some have said that gold was given to Jesus because He is a King, frankincense because He is God, and myrrh because He would die for the sins of the world. Others explain these gifts in terms of what we Christians of all time present to the Savior—the gold of faith, the frankincense of prayer, and the myrrh of bitter repentance.
In summary, the gift that the blessed Savior demands of us all, which we all can and should bring to Him, is our heart. He pleads so lovingly: “My son” (My daughter), “give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe My ways” (Proverbs 23:26). Think of it! He wants our hearts even though they are so corrupted by sin. Even though our hearts are full of guilt, carnal love of the world, and estrangement from God does not change the fact that He still desires them. He wants our hearts in order to cleanse them, to dwell in them with His Holy Spirit, to sanctify them as His temple (John 14:17, 23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16).
Oh, what wonderful love! In response to the saving love of God in Christ Jesus, the Christian prays: “Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy Law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart” (Psalm 119:34). And yet, due to the influence of our sinful flesh, we so often hesitate to give ourselves unreservedly to our gracious Savior. Therefore, we must be on guard against the temptation to follow after the illusive stars of earthly fortune, physical health, worldly joy, and honor among men, lest deepest night come upon us (1 John 2:15–17). But by the power of the Holy Ghost working through His Word, may we ever keep the saving star of Christ before our anxious eyes and learn to trust and follow Him more consistently (1 John 4:19; 5:3; John 14:21). Most blessed are we if we do; for He gives us the assurance: “I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12). Let us earnestly pray and say to Him:
Ah, look on me with pity,
Though I am weak and poor;
Admit me to Thy kingdom,
To dwell there, blest and sure.
I pray Thee, guide and keep me
Safe from my bitter foes,
From sin and death and Satan;
Free me from all my woes.
And bid Thy Word within me
Shine as the fairest star;
Keep sin and all false doctrine
Forever from me far;
Help me confess Thee truly
And with Thy Christendom
Here own Thee King and Savior
And in the world to come.
Hymn 130, 5–6 (TLH)