Pre-Christmas Message: Gold for a King (Part 1 of 3)

“[Scholars from the East] entered the house and saw the child [Jesus] in the arms of Mary, his mother. Overcome, they kneeled and worshiped him. Then they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh” (Matthew 2:12,The Message).

Yesterday before I went to church, I asked my mom where she kept my formal clothes. She puts it in the closet, obviously. As I searched through, I found a set of earring – a wonderful set of gold earring (I was like Gollum when I found it, “My precious...”). She said it was a gift from my uncle. It has a sentimental value attach to it. It symbolizes their brother-sister relationship.

The Bible is filled with beautiful symbols – pictures telling of the truths God wants us to know. Gold is a symbol of deity, of kingliness, and of sovereignty. When we think of gold we think of crowns, necklaces, rings and other beautiful things relating to a king. When we see gold, we’re reminded of our new relationship with God through Jesus Christ: King-Worshipper relationship.

Do you remember reading the Gospels when Jesus was about to be crucified, and the enemies prepared a sign to be placed over His head on the cross? They wrote these words, “THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS” (Matthew 27:37). At His birth He was hailed as a king, and at His death they wrote of Him as the king.

Question: Did Jesus reign upon the earthy throne? Yes and not yet. For sure one day Jesus will come back to this earth to reign on the earthly throne in new heavens and new earth. And all men on earth, even those long ago dead “will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father”(Philippians 2:10-11).

Another question: What did the scholars from the East bring to Jesus? They brought Him their worship (“they kneeled and worshiped him”). Therefore, gold reminds us of worship (“they opened their luggage and presented gifts: gold...”). In heaven, all of God’s creations sing worship to Jesus the Son of God, “The slain Lamb is worthy! Take the power, the wealth, the wisdom, the strength! Take the honor, the glory, the blessing!” (Revelation 5:12). Surely our King is worthy of our worship, isn’t He?

Someone told me that worship is the giving over of ourselves to the One worshipped. Friend, that exactly what Jesus wants us to do – to give our lives to Him, to worship Him. The celebration of Christmas therefore, for Christ-believers, is an opportunity to celebrate and worship Jesus our King together all around the world– but you see; it must first start with you individually – Is Jesus your King? Do you truly worship Him?

Merry Christmas!

START SMALL. GO DEEP.