Another Route Matthew 2:1-12 Persians Bearing Gifts Why The Wise Men Were Wise The Gifts of a Wise Man

Persians Bearing Gifts 1. Gold – a gift for a king (Jesus as King)  Seneca – “No one in Persia was to approach a king without a gift of gold”  Kings only gave gifts of gold to signify submission and the right to rule  Probably funded the move to Egypt Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Persians Bearing Gifts 2. Frankincense – (Jesus as Priest)  Used in temple worship to anoint priests  Often mixed with meal offering (thanks)  Never mixed with sin offering  Philippians 4:18 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Philippians 4:18 (NASB) 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God.

Persians Bearing Gifts 2. Frankincense – (Jesus as Priest)  Used in temple worship to anoint priests  Often mixed with meal offering (thanks)  Never mixed with sin offering  Philippians 4:18  Signifies worship and perfection Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Persians Bearing Gifts 3. Myrrh – death (Jesus as Prophet)  Myrrh was used for embalming  Odd, if not offensive, gift for a child  Perhaps a gift of faith  Signified suffering – Psalm 22; Is. 53:4-5 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Isaiah 53:4-5 (NASB) 4 Surely our griefs He Himself bore, And our sorrows He carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, And by His scourging we are healed.

Persians Bearing Gifts 3. Myrrh – death (Jesus as Prophet)  Myrrh was used for embalming  Odd, if not offensive, gift to give a child  Perhaps a gift of faith  Signified suffering – Psalm 22; Is. 53:4-5  Also used as anesthetic – Mark 15:23 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Mark 15:23 (NASB) 23 They tried to give Him wine mixed with myrrh; but He did not take it.

Why The Wise Men Were Wise 1. They were wise enough to seek Him 2. They were wise enough to seek information about Him – Romans 10:6-8 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Romans 10:6-8 (NASB) 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “D O NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, ‘W HO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN ?’ (that is, to bring Christ down), 7 or ‘W HO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS ?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).” 8 But what does it say? “T HE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART ”— that is, the word of faith which we are preaching,

Why The Wise Men Were Wise 1. They were wise enough to seek Him 2. They were wise enough to seek information about Him – Romans 10: They were wise enough to worship Him when they found Him – 2 Timothy 3:7 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

2 Timothy 3:7 (NASB) 7 always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Why The Wise Men Were Wise 1. They were wise enough to seek Him 2. They were wise enough to seek information about Him – Romans 10: They were wise enough to worship Him when they found Him – 2 Timothy 3:7 4. They were wise enough to submit and obey Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

The Gifts of a Wise Man 1. Gold – Make Jesus your king!  Can you bring to Jesus your total submission to Him in all areas of your life?  1 Samuel 15:22 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

1 Samuel 15:22 (NASB) 22 Samuel said, “Has the L ORD as much delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices As in obeying the voice of the L ORD ? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams.”

The Gifts of a Wise Man 1. Gold – Make Jesus your king!  Can you bring to Jesus your total submission to Him in all areas of your life?  1 Samuel 15:22 God wants the gold of your willingness to make Him King of your life! Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

The Gifts of a Wise Man 2. Frankincense – Reach out to Him as your High Priest!  God is not distant but near!  Hebrews 4:15 Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Hebrews 4:15 (NASB) 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

The Gifts of a Wise Man 2. Frankincense – Reach out to Him as your High Priest!  God is not distant but near!  Hebrews 4:15 Offer your burdens to Him Offer your burdens to Him Worship Him with your life Worship Him with your life Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

The Gifts of a Wise Man 3. Myrrh – Receive Him as your Savior  Jesus was born to die for you  Myrrh also represents our death as well as death to our sins God wants the myrrh of you dying to your sins Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Application #1 Have you found Jesus? Are you earnestly seeking Him? Have you predetermined to worship Him when you find the truth? Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Application #2 If you have already found Him, are you offering Him your gifts?  Your Gold? (gifts, talents, possessions)  Your Incense? (whole life worship)  Your Myrrh? (dying to yourself because of the spiritual death you deserve but which Christ has taken in His own body and death) Another Route Matthew 2:1-12

Conclusion If you are offering Him your life as gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh, then you will be taking “Another Route” that is glorifying God and drawing others to Him! Another Route Matthew 2:1-12