Fit For a King!

A small passage of Scripture from Matthew's gospel forced me to ask myself this one, simple question: "What am I bringing into God's house? Is it fit for a King?"

"When they [the wise men] saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh" (Matt 2:10-11).

In ancient times, visits were seldom paid to sovereigns without a present of some kind (1 Kgs 10:2; Ps 72:10; etc). An offering was always to be made because the person accepting the gift was one of notoriety, eminence and prestige. How much more does God deserve our best (Col 1:18)? Often times, however, it seems we're lucky if we can get people to clap their hands in worship! The body of Christ must ask itself, "What are we bringing into God's house?"

Am I bringing Him my gold? Naturally, this references our monetary offerings; our personal gold. Am I giving God my best? Am I giving Him the best fruits of my land (Gen 43:11)? The extent of our giving identifies the state of our praise (Isa 60:6)! Is my gift fit for such a royal, praise-worthy King?

Furthermore, gold in Scripture is symbolic of kingship, God's glory, and His divine nature (Rev 4:4; 14:14; 1 Cor 3:11-13; Mal 3:3). Therefore, in giving Him gold, we are ascribing to Jesus the great honor due His name. The Shulamite exemplifies this in her life: "My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand. His head is as the most fine gold..." (Song 5:10-11). Reader, we will undoubtedly ascribe glory to something or someone in this life.. who or what is it going to be? A career? A spouse? A dream? A ministry? Does Jesus receive my gold, or does another? "Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts" (Ps 96:8).

Am I bringing Him my frankincense? Frankincense was an aromatic used in offerings; it was a dry, resinous, aromatic yellow gum, which came from a tree in Arabia, and was obtained by cutting of the bark. This incense was placed within the sanctuary, to be at hand when the priest required to burn it on the altar (Exod 30:34-36). It was burned upon the altar of incense in the Holy Place, and slowly wafted through the veil, into the Most Holy Place. Frankincense, therefore, is symbolic of one's worship and intercession (Rev 5:8; 8:3-4). The Psalmist has said, "Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Ps 141:2). Am I bringing such a "sweet savour" into the house of God? Or do I come into His house for vain purposes, and muddy the waters? Do I take the time to cultivate the fragrance of my life? Or am I simply in a hurry to escape wrath?

Interestingly, Jesus possesses this sweet scent (Song 3:6). His bride too will have this scent as she endures the dealings of God, and is changed into His very image (2 Cor 3:18). Of the bride, Scripture tells us that she is "a garden enclosed...with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices" (Song 4:12-14). She is a savour of life (2 Cor 2:14-16)!

Am I a savour of life, fit for a King? If so, do I strive to bring this savour into the house of God? From the bottom of my heart, I long to be "an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God" (Phil 4:18)!

Finally, am I bringing Him my myrrh? Myrrh is another scent that was used in perfuming ointments; it was used as a burial spice (Jn 19:38-40). Myrrh had to be finely crushed. This is symbolic of the death of the flesh, the old man, and the Adamic nature. Jesus had this scent because of the suffering He endured (Song 3:6). He was tempted in all points, yet without sin. His humanity was utterly crushed (Heb 4:15). This crushing will be said of His bride too (Ps 45:7-8; Rev 19:7).

Am I bringing Jesus my myrrh? Or do I strive to serve two masters: God and sin? Am I laying my life down to be crushed? Or do I still want to hold onto the passing pleasures of sin? What am I bringing into the house of God? Is it finely crushed myrrh, prepared for the death, burial and resurrection of the old carnal nature? "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints" (Ps 116:15).