Prayer as Gifts - Part 2

Gifts are symbolic. They are tokens of affection and appreciation. The act of giving a gift is transactional, but the significance of giving a gift is relationship.

When God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ into the world, He opened His treasure and offered us the greatest gift that we could ever receive, Himself. Jesus Christ, the light of the world; Emmanuel, God with us.

When the wise men fell down and opened their treasures, the gifts they offered were more than riches. Yes, they were provisional. They most likely provided the means for the flight of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph from the dangers of Herod's reign into the relative safety of Egypt. They were also symbolic acknowledgements of who Jesus is and why God gave him to the world.

Gold is associated both with royalty and temple worship. Besides the association with Jesus' kingship and God's house, gold is a metal that doesn't tarnish. It is not lost, destroyed, or diminished by its surroundings. It is a symbol of the eternal and the immutable attributes of God. Like gold which is not tarnished by the earth that surrounds it, Jesus was not diminished by the mire when He entered the Earth to save us.

Frankincense had a place in temple worship as part of a fragrant incense offering. The incense, symbolic of the prayers of God's people, was also a foreshadow of Christ's sacrifice "... as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:2 ESV

Myrrh also had a place in the temple. It was used in the sacred anointing oil for the temple. This gift was symbolic of Christ's role as the eternal high priest of God.

Additionally, both frankincense and myrrh are resins. They are produced from the wounds of trees and shrubs. These substances have medicinal properties. Like the wounds of the tree, we are promised that by His stripes we are healed, washed clean of sin and raised from death to life by the blood of Jesus.

These gifts speak to the nature of the king who received them. Jesus Christ cannot be held back or diminished. In the earth or below it, His radiant brilliance cannot be overcome. He is the fragrant offering and the High Priest who intercedes for God's people. He was wounded for our healing.

As we go to God in prayer this holiday season, give the gift of acknowledgement to God for the precious gift of Christ Jesus. Remember who He is, what He has done, and that His gift was freely given to secure our future.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift You gave to us. By Your Son we have been healed and redeemed. There is no gift better than this. As the holiday season ends, let us not forget Your gift to us and let us not lose gratitude and appreciation for it. AMEN.