Verse of the Day 12/13

Verse of the Day 12/13

Matthew 2:10-11When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. ¹¹ And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.  English Standard Version (ESV)

As a child and for many adults, Christmas is mainly about receiving gifts.  As you get older and have children and grandchildren, hopefully, this changes and we have learned the joy of giving and "it is better to give than to receive".  The wise men in Matthew two were the first to bring gifts to the babe in the manger, they didn't only bring gifts, they brought treasures, with great joy.

John Piper writes that "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy" — the joy that I pursue is not the hope of getting rich by bartering with you or negotiating some payment. I have not come to you for your things, but for yourself. And this desire I now intensify and demonstrate by giving up things, in the hope of enjoying you more, not things. By giving to you what you do not need, and what I might enjoy, I am saying more earnestly and more authentically, 'You are my treasure, not these things.' 

The gifts were a reflection of what was in their hearts.  They gave because they treasured. The gifts weren't trinkets found at a Shekel Store (they didn't have Dolllar Stores back then) or "re-gifts"; they were treasures, they were of value and giving them would cost something.  But it didn't matter, they had come for him, for Jesus.  God had led them.  He had prepared their hearts and they followed where He led them.

So it should be for us.  If God has prepared your heart, follow His lead, be prepared to give, give treasures that mean something to you and to the ones who will be receiving the gifts.

Thou didst leave Thy throne and Thy kingly crown,
When Thou camest to earth for me;
But in Bethlehem's home was there found no room
For Thy holy nativity.

Heaven's arches rang when the angels sang,
Proclaiming Thy royal degree;
But of lowly birth didst Thou come to earth,
And in great humility.

Refrain

O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,
There is room in my heart for Thee.

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Matthew 2:10-11The Message (MSG)

^9-10 Instructed by the king, they set off. Then the star appeared again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until it hovered over the place of the child. They could hardly contain themselves: They were in the right place! They had arrived at the right time!

¹¹ They entered the house and saw the child in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.