What Would Magi 2.0 Be?

Matthew 2:1-12

Message No. 0534 | Twitter @GodandUs | www.wisdom-speaks.ca

Some time ago, I observed my children arguing about what program to watch on TV, and while the younger was still trying to talk, the elder said, “And, I don’t want to watch Disney.” That was an attempt to shut down whatever ‘child-ish’ channel the younger would suggest, even before she spoke. I thought to myself, really, I thought you all liked Disney programs. But, apparently, and, as it should be, like most other things, one’s likes and choices fade gradually as one ages.

We are at that time of the year again, when almost the whole world talks about Christmas. And, while some won’t celebrate the period because of the controversy regarding the real birthdate of Jesus, one thing that is sure to be talked about is the story of the Magi who traveled from the east and presented gifts to Jesus. In Matthew chapter 2 verse 11, the Bible says:

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.

These gifts were precious at the time of the birth of Jesus and I am sure that Jesus would have appreciated them very much. Mary and Joseph would have appreciated the gifts, because those were gifts worth giving to kings. Even today, who can underestimate the value of a gold gift? Robbers break into homes to steal these gifts. And, don’t forget the location where Jesus was born – in a manger! So, I presume that as soon as the Magi left, Mary would have carefully wrapped the gifts and hidden them far away in a place where no one could imagine that such valuable items existed.

However, just like the story in the opening paragraph, there comes a time when things that used to be valuable to us in the past cease to be so, in the present. In Philippians 3:8, Paul wrote:

Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ

Valuable as gold, frankincense and myrrh were, I believe that Jesus would have said to Himself, ‘I wish that these guys and the entire world understand the reason why I am here and the gifts that would have made me happier,’ because Jesus had a mission, and nothing in this world could even dare to compare in value. When He was sending out His disciples in Matthew 10:6-8, He was very specific about the assignments He had given them:

Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

In Matthew 35:31-46, Jesus described gifts that He needed brought back from these assignments, gifts that He would expect from modern day Magi, or, as the heading of this writing says, Magi 2.0:

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ (v. 34-36).

As we celebrate Christmas this season, let us not forget that Jesus is no longer that Baby in a manger. He is our resurrected King and He needs more than gold from us, He needs souls. He needs us to touch lives positively in His name. More than frankincense and myrrh, He needs us to lay the harvests down at His Feet. The Magi were otherwise known as ‘wise men.’ In Proverbs 11:30, the Bible says those who win souls are wise. When we lay down our gifts at His Feet now and in the future, will He count us among the wise? Enjoy your week and God bless you!

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 Lord I know that I am a sinner and I am unable to save myself. I am sorry for my sins and I pray that you please forgive me. I am aware that Your Son Jesus died for my sins and I accept Him as my Lord and savior. I surrender my life unto you from this moment. Please take control of my entire being and help me to be obedient to your Word, going forward. Thank you, Lord, for hearing me. I have prayed in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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