A New Year’s Grounded Ministry
Catching the Truths to the Magi’s Gifts and Their Testimony
A look at the Bible in regard to the period after the birth of Jesus Christ, I see a time which shows the importance of providing for and protecting the Lord’s work.
The Bible says, “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi… asked, where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star when it rose and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)
At that time in history Herod called the Magi secretly and “found out the exact time the star had appeared.” (Matthew 2:7 NIV) According to the Word of God, Herod knew the Magi were referring to the Messiah. (Matthew 2:4) Herod understood from the time the Magi had seen the star of the new born king of the Jews - up to the time of their meeting, it had been around two years. It is very likely from the time the Magi saw the star to the time they spoke with Herod it had been a long period of time. (Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (Mt 2:16). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.; Barclay, W. (Ed.). (1976). The Gospel of Matthew (Vol. 1, p. 37). Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press.)
We know what the Bible says about the killing of every male child in the vicinity of Bethlehem at that time period – the order was to murder all male children at the age of two and under. (Matthew 2:16)
I think it is good that the NIV, NASB95, and the NRSV Bibles say “the exact time” the star appeared. The Lexham English Bible says, “Then Herod secretly summoned the wise men and* determined precisely from them the time when* the star appeared.” The English Standard Version says, “When Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared.” The Greek word for “ascertained” (????ß?? akribóo) means, “to know… accurately, to inquire accurately.” (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) The Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon tells us the Greek word means “to know accurately, to do exactly.”
It is not out of line for a born-again theologian whom has done the work of proper exegesis of Scripture to say it is very likely the Magi showed up at the “house, they saw the Child with Mary His mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him.” (Matthew 2:11) two years later after Jesus’ conception.
The Greek word for house (????a oikía) means a house, a dwelling. In many New Testament verses the Greek word (????a oikía) is most often used when referring to an actual house. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.; Thomas, R. L. (1998). New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Anaheim: Foundation Publications, Inc.) (Matt. 2:11; 5:15; 7:24–27; 8:6, 14; 9:10, 23, 28; 10:12, 14; 12:29; 13:1, 36, 57; 17:25; 19:29; 24:17; 26:6; Mark 1:29; 2:15; 3:25, 27; 6:10; 7:24; 9:33; 10:10, 30; 13:15, 34; 14:3; Luke 4:38; 5:29; 6:48, 49; 7:6, 37, 44; 8:27, 51; 9:4; 10:5, 7, 38; 15:8, 25; 17:31; 18:29; 22:10, 11, 54; John 11:31; 12:3; Acts 4:34; 9:11, 17; 10:6, 17, 32; 11:11; 12:12; 16:32; 17:5; 18:7; 1 Cor. 11:22; 1 Tim. 5:13; 2 Tim. 2:20; 3:6; 2 John 1:10; Sept.: Gen. 19:4; Ex. 1:21) The Greek word for child (pa?d??? paidíon) literally a little child, male or female. This is usually the Greek word used when describing a young child. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.; Swanson, J. (1997). Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) (electronic ed.). Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc.; Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.)
At this point of time, we are now past the time of the year about remembering the birth of Jesus Christ to get more involved in the work of the Lord, we are now to be about our Father, God’s business, like Jesus was when His mother Mary and Joseph found our Lord in the Temple “listening to the teachers” of God’s word, asking questions. (Luke 2:41-51)
First: A grounded ministry begins with a seeking the Lord, sometimes for a long season. The Magi were studiers and according The Lexham Bible Dictionary they “represent humans of all ages, from all continents, giving gifts appropriate to royalty, divinity and death.” (Morrison, M. D. (2016). Melchior. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.) If these men were from Persia, the land that was once called the Babylonian Empire, the place where the Jews were held in captivity for seventy years. It is very likely these educated men would have come across some writings from God fearing Hebrews. There is no such thing as coincidences, only God's full controlling hand. It is safe to assume, these men may have came across writings like what is found in the Book of Numbers, Balaam's prophecy, "A star will come out of Jacob, a scepter will rise out of Israel." (Numbers 24:17)
One truth for sure, we can be seeking the Lord for worship, we have the Scriptures to point us to Christ, how to be faithful to His call upon our lives and giving our best to Him.
Second: A grounded ministry has a belief in the counsel of God’s Word. It is safe to assume the Magi shared what caused them to search for a star, the sign the king of the Jews was to be born. No doubt Herod would share with them what the chief priests and teachers of law said. That scoundrel would have done anything to get his ill will done. It is likely the Magi were led to Jerusalem by some old writings of the prophets of God or at least the testimony of God-fearing Hebrews. It was very likely the law – Old Testament led them on their way to Bethlehem. A Biblical searching heart opened them up to supernatural direction. The Magi made proclamation of the King of the Jews arrival to the Lord’s enemy. They provided for the Lord’s work.
It is the counsel of God’s Word which guides us to a grounded ministry which open us to be led to just were God wants us to be so we may worship the Lord with the Holy Spirit Gifts we have been endowed with for His glory. Our proclamation may be before a world which hates him and our Spiritual gits used sacrificially is the wealth we have for His work.
The Magi coming after the birth of Christ and their gifts hold significances for us as we worship the Lord beyond Him being in a manger. Understanding the Ingredients of the gifts of the Magi gives the ingredients to a grounded ministry towards the Lord’s work.
The Bible says the Magi “bowed down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented Him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh." (Matthew 2:8-11) The Old and New Testament Scriptures hold truths about the birth of Jesus Christ. The truths regarding the gifts offered by the Magi are worthy of consideration if we desire to give Christ the honor He deserves. God has often used symbolism to breath truth into the hearts of God-fearing people. There are symbolic meanings found in Scripture which should have an influence on how we honor the King of kings. (1 Timothy 6:15)
First, the Bible says "they opened their treasures and presented Him with Gold." Gold (???s?? chrusós) is often seen as symbolic for a gift worthy of a king, a precious metal prized for its beauty and value, an appropriate gift for royalty. Seneca tells us that in Parthia it was the custom, no one could ever approach the king without a gift. Gold at the time of the birth of Christ was and is now a precious metal, a gift for the King of men. Jesus is the God man Whom can reign and rule over men's hearts. In the hearts of Christians there is submission to Jesus, the Devine person of Whom the gift of gold can be symbolic of us giving our best to Him. We do not need to be the best – but give Him our best.
What sacrifices are you making? How much time do you spend on developing using your Spiritual gifts for the Lord, for other Christians and those lost in this world?
Second, "They presented Him with the treasure... of incense." "Frankincense" (??ßa??? líbanos) often referred in Scripture as an aroma pleasing to the Lord. It is a fragrance which is offered in direct adoration to the Lord. This incense reflected His deity and was sprinkled on many of the sacrifices in the Old Testament. (Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary: New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.) Frankincense is a gift for a priest. The Latin word for priest is ponitfex, which means a bridge-builder. It is not out of line to see the gift of Frankincense being offered to the One Whom is our "high priest who is not unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:15-16) The Christ's born in Bethlehem is the bridge-builder over the gulf of sin that once separated us from God.
A grounded ministry is one that point people to the Bridge-builder – one the Lord uses to redeem the lost, equips them for service for Him.
Third, "They presented Him with the treasure... [of] myrrh." Myrrh (sµ???a smúrna) an expensive spice used for making perfume, incense, medicine, for anointing and embalming the dead. During Biblical times, myrrh was an important trade item. Myrrh is an aromatic fragrant which radiates spontaneously and is highly favored for preserving a corpse. (ThoughtCo; Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 77). New York: United Bible Societies; Barclay, W. (Ed.). (1976). The Gospel of Matthew (Vol. 1, pp. 32–33). Philadelphia, PA: The Westminster John Knox Press.) We know that Nicodemus mixed myrrh and aloes together, seventy-five pounds of it. He and Joseph of Arimathea, took the spices put it on Jesus' body and wrapped it in linen strips, in accordance with Jewish burial customs. (John 19:38-42) It is interesting to read in Exodus, myrrh is the first mentioned principal ingredient in the holy anointing oil. (Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers; Vine, W. E., Unger, M. F., & White, W., Jr. (1996). Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words (Vol. 2, p. 423). Nashville, TN: T. Nelson.) Oil is frequently mentioned in Scripture as an emblem of sanctification and anointing with it is a means of designating objects as well as persons to the service of God. In Exodus 30:23 we read the oil was prescribed by God's authority. (Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 68). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.) Jesus' birth was ordained by God. It has been well said, "Christ's was born to die, to give His life in obedience for the sins of the world."
Note: The heartbeat of the Magi, the wise men gave a gift to Jesus worthy for the King of kings, a gift for the one Whom is the final High Priest, a gift for the One Who was the only pure sacrifice for the sins of the world. It should also be noted, although the gifts presented truths about who Jesus Christ was for all of mankind, the gifts also provided for the needs of Jesus and His family when they fled for Egypt. Are you giving Christ your best? Are you allowing Him to be the priest, the bridge-builder over the gulf of sin that can keep you from a relationship with God? Lastly, are you like the Apostle Paul saying, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) Those are the ingredients for worship which is a pleasing aroma to the Lord.
A grounded ministry is one which grasp’s the truths of the Magi’s testimony about Jesus being the King of the Jews and their giving is the measure we go by as we provided for the Lord’s work.
