WORSHIP THE GREATEST GIFT

“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and WORSHIPED HIM...” – Matthew 2:11a

Humanity is in the season of gifts, an apt time to WORSHIP THE GREATEST GIFT – JESUS: “And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and WORSHIPED HIM. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Mt.2:11). This is the time of the year when people focus so much on giving gifts. But the Gift God has for us is the Ultimate, All-surpassing Gift that will never wear out or grow old. This Gift becomes more precious with the passing of time. This is the Gift of Jesus Christ and Eternal Life in Him: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom.6:23). This Gift has benefits beyond the grave.

There is no greater gift from God to humankind, than the Gift of His Son Jesus: “For God so loved the world that HE GAVE His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jh.3:16). This great verse summarizes the Gospel of Salvation available through faith in Jesus. God loved the world enough to send His Son to die on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. Whoever believes in Jesus will be saved from the consequences of sin and receive the gift of eternal life. God loved a condemned, unattractive world, full of sin and misery, that deserved nothing but His wrath. His love moved Him to give His Precious Best! He might have destroyed the world and started afresh. But He loved it still and gave His Son to die for it.

God gave everything that He possibly could to offer us the Gift of Jesus Christ. Imagine how hard it was for the Father to send His Son to earth and watch how He wouldn’t even find a proper place to be born, and was mistreated throughout His earthly life. The picture of baby Jesus in the manger looks appealing. But Jesus came to die. The shadow of the cross was over that cradle. From the moment He came to this earth, He was headed for a certain goal. He went to the cross and died for us and then rose from the grave three days later. Jesus wouldn’t let anyone or anything keep Him from that goal. And because He reached it, we have forgiveness today (1Jh.4:10). The Ultimate Gift that God sent to show His love for us is Eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The wise men from the East were led to Jerusalem by the Star of the newborn King, to come and worship Him (vv.1-3). A key part of their worship was to bring gifts to Him Who is the Greatest and Most Precious Gift to humanity. They brought Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, a perfume or ointment – respectively symbolic of the King (Royalty), God (Deity), and Saviour (a token of His future suffering). Jesus is the Reason for the Season! He came to save, redeem, and restore us to a right relationship with the Father. But we must receive Him by Faith, as Saviour and Lord. For some folks, Jesus remains the unopened gift, left outside of their lives.

Let’s open God’s gift and let Him in: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (Jh.1:12). An added proof of having received God’s Perfect Gift is the passion to share Him with others, both in words and in living. We cannot keep such Precious Gift to ourselves and expect to make continuing progress in enjoying His benefits. Jesus meets all of the criteria for being the Perfect Gift. First, He reflects the One Who gave Him – God the Father. Second, He reflects knowledge of the needs of humanity. Third, He will never expire or lose value with time.

Beloved, let’s bow down and WORSHIP THE GREATEST GIFT – JESUS CHRIST!