Verse of the Day 12/25

Through the Bible - Zechariah 1-3, Revelation 17

Merry Christmas,

Most of you have probably seen some of the recent commercials, especially on cable TV, for gold. One of them states "gold has never been worth nothing". My son Jason and I were laughing about that yesterday, as if to say "dah, that's pretty obvious".

For today's verse we'll go to Matthew 2 to the account of the Wise Men coming to visit Jesus. They brought gifts to Jesus, heading the list was gold.
I read a devotional the other day that was in Philipians:
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. NKJV

Yesterday I read Matthew 2 and thought about the integrity of the Wise Men. They had approached Herod and the scribes to find out where they might find this child. The scribes whose interest should have been piqued, showed little interest, you might call it indifference or total disregard for the possibility that the prophecies could be coming true before their eyes. The Wise Men pressed on. They were not swayed from their original goal of finding the Christ child.

They found Him and delivered their valuable gifts.

Matt 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 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. NKJV

We celebrate Christmas, the time when God gave us His Son (John 3:16) that whosever believes in Him may live with Him eternally. But the key to it is being willing to receive the gift. The gift is only shows it's value to the one who receives it, otherwise it does nothing for them.

What God offers, what God gives us, cannot be purchased at any price. When it comes to salvation, it can't be bought, all the gold in the world cannot buy it.. Salvation is God's free gift, apart from Jesus gold is worth nothing. Maybe up to this point gold has never been worth nothing. But there will come a day...

What kind of gifts did you receive for Christmas? Will they last?

What are you doing in regards to Jesus? Will you search for Him, desire to know Him better, press on when others disregard Him? What will you bring, what will you offer to Him this coming year?

In Christ,
Mike
mikevw@bellsouth.net

Matt 2:1-12

Wise Men from the East

2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying,"Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."

3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

5 So they said to him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

6 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.'"

7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also."

9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 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.

NKJV