The greatest gift of all

MATTHEW 2:11-12 | AARON MCCLATCHEY

‘On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.’

In this passage we see the Magi’s first response to meeting Jesus and their obedience to the Lord.

On first meeting the infant Jesus the respected Magi humbled themselves bowing down and worshipping him. They approached Jesus as we should with worship and deference. Following this they brought their three gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. In the historical context these gifts would be suitable for presenting to the highest of royalty but here they are giving them to an infant from Nazareth. The final verse demonstrates their ongoing obedience to God, obeying the dream and avoiding Herod, thus protecting Jesus and his family.

The giving of gifts by the Magi reminds us of the ultimate gift we receive from God. As it says in Romans 6:23: ‘For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.’

Dear God, may we respond to the offering of your great gift with worship and obedience, just like the Magi. May we recognise your kingship over us and truly grasp the importance of your Son becoming flesh in this world. I pray that over this period of gift giving we are not distracted by the things of this world, but we rejoice in you saving gift of grace. Amen.