Gifts of a King
Gold, frankincense and myrrh were prepared by the three magi for the coming King and delivered to the Infant King in a manger. The significant and valuable gifts point to a King worthy to be worshipped above all others who, through a love that surpasses knowledge, would willingly lay down His righteous life as the propitiation for our sins. While I don’t know if the magi understood the full significance of the gifts they gave, they were truly gifts fit for a king.
Often much thought goes into getting gifts for those we love - wanting to get that perfect thing that represents them well or would be a special blessing to them. But I wonder, do we take the time to ponder the weighty significance of the gift King Jesus gave us? To many who believe Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and was raised again so that we might be raised to new life — to many who confess Jesus as Lord — receiving Christ simply grants them a ticket to heaven. They don’t understand that at the moment one receives Christ that person receives all that Christ is and has. He/She has received the fullness of Christ’s life. His attributes and all that He has now belong to the believer.
The believer possesses all the gifts of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. The receiver of Christ has received His righteousness and holiness, His power and authority; he/she now has the mind of Christ. The believer has received His understanding, wisdom, and favor - His abundant LIFE. In 2 Peter 1:3-4, we discover that those who have faith in Christ have received everything they need for life and godliness and partake of His divine nature. In Christ, believers can walk in victory through this dark world because He has overcome the world. In Christ, God has equipped His children to reign in power and authority over every dark principality of this earthly world.
As believers, when we meditate on these truths, and we see ourselves for who we really are in Christ and all that we have through our oneness with Him, our walk will reflect His nature living through us. People will experience the true Jesus as we allow Him to live His LIFE through us. His Light will pierce the darkness, captives will be set free, and joy will abound in our hearts and minds. These and so much more are the gifts of the King given to us.