Christmas: Gold, Frankincense, Myrrh

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms , , , ,
“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.” Matthew 2:11 ESV.

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God’s purpose is most often recognized and accomplished through people. Take the Biblical narrative of the Magi in search of the new king at his birth.

These Eastern religious leaders knew from their own prophesies that when certain events took place, a child would be born whom the world will one day receive as their king.

This event took place when Jesus was born to a newly married, young Jewish couple, Joseph & Mary.

When the Magi finally completed their journey in search of the newborn, they arrived approximately zero to two years after the birth of Jesus. They found the family residing in a house and not the manger where Jesus was born.

As a gift to the newborn king, they presented him with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gifts accomplished a twofold purpose.

One, it gave recognition that the child was special. Gold was the royal gift given to kings; frankincense recognized the priestly divinity of a person; and myrrh pictured the future embalmed savior of the world. All these expensive gifts foretold the child’s destiny.

Secondly, God knew that Joseph, Mary, and Jesus would need to flee Jerusalem because of King Herod’s perverted decree to kill all the young under two years of age. So He made the arrangement giving Joseph the necessary resources to pay for their travel. The family now could easily finance their trip to Egypt and await King Herod’s demise. In fact, exchanging the frankincense and myrrh for cash probably help establish their new home and business in Nazareth upon their return.

God has a way to workout events before we realize there is a need. He blesses us through the events and circumstances we face each day so that His purpose will ultimately be accomplished. Most often these blessing come via people. And the people God works through may not even be of the same faith, nationality, or race. We witness that with the Magi.

Remember, Christmas is not about the gifts. It is simply man’s limited attempt to recognize the world’s greatest Giver. The Triune God. And wise people still seek Him today!

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

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Christmas: Celebrating the Arrival of The King

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,
“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2 ESV.

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Non-Jewish religious leaders from the east came looking for the new King. (Tradition always seems to show three. However the Bible says wise men without ever mentioning the number.) Their own teaching prophesied the coming of a new baby who would one day rule the world. When they arrived to Jerusalem looking for the child, the local ruler asked the Jewish leaders where the Messiah was to be born. They replied quoting the prophecy written approximately 700 year earlier from the Book of Micah that he would come from Bethlehem. Therefore, these wise men traveled to the village and found the child with mother in a home. There they showered the child with gifts in honor and respect to the new king.

Again at the end of Jesus’ life, Pontius Pilate referred to Jesus as a King and committed him to the capital punishment of death on the cross. His legal crime written for the public to witness was “King of the Jews.”

Jesus Christ was born and initially died for being a king. As he taught and Scripture reveals, he came to be King, his servants didn’t recognize him, and he left with the expectation of one day returning to fully establish his kingdom.

Christmas is a time to celebrate the arrival of humanity’s king. The Man-God. The first born of a new humanity. He is no longer a baby but a fully, empowered living eternal being who qualified to be our King. For many of us living in a democratic republic, the concept of having a king is ambiguous at best. However, when one acknowledges Jesus as Lord, one begins to fully live-out the relationship of a king with his servants. To live under a benevolent ruler makes many hunger for his return. For the many in today’s world who are upset with the current governmental leaders who fall far short from their promises, hope and a better world is around the corner.

Therefore, let’s celebrate this Christmas with joy and gratitude for all to see that we await the return of our King. The hope of mankind.

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!

Christmas: Sacrificial Love

Dr. Mike Christmas, Kingdom Paradigms ,
“For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” Colossians 1:19 ESV.

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If God became man, what would he look like? A mighty warrior with the largest army in the world? A famous person with Hollywood looks? A politician with charm and charisma? A king with vast wealth and resources?

Would you believe he already came in the flesh as the man Jesus Christ of Nazareth? Josephus, a Jewish, non-believer historian during Christ’s life wrote in his book that this man did mighty works. We are told in the Book of Colossians that the fullness of God dwelt with Jesus Christ. We read as his followers described him “a light in the world.” Other eye-witness accounts responded by emphasizing the miracles he performed that included feeding multitudes and healing deadly diseases. Others spoke about him resurrecting the dead. Then others showcased his ability to teach with moral parables that left the audience spellbound.

What the majority of writers emphasized was the unique heart of the man. He knew the evilness found in human nature. Yet he also knew the power of God to transform.

He touched the lives of the most undesirables of his time. He loved to celebrate life demonstrated through the parties and social events he attended. He surrounded himself with men and women who were not of noble birth or educationally valued. Instead he chose to surround himself with a smorgasbord of people who probably would never associate with one another if it wasn’t because of him.

Like most people who make a difference in life, his story didn’t fully bloom until after his death. There were over 500 witnesses who gave the testimony that they seen him alive after his crucifixion. He appeared and disappeared among his students and followers. His own brothers disbelieved him prior to his resurrection but changed their tune afterwards. His life was more than just being a moral teacher. The people who knew him came to the realization that he was and is who he claimed to be: The Messiah.

His life is a model of what love looks like in human form. He didn’t self-promote himself. He simply denied himself to serve His Father God. He practiced and taught what sacrificial love looks like. From washing his disciples feet to dying an undeserving death, Jesus Christ showed us what God looks like in the flesh. This Christmas is simply our feeble attempt to remember what his life means to you and me. Let’s celebrate it with him, through him, and for him. Besides, isn’t he the reason for the season?

Rooting For You in Christ!

Dr. Mike

Executive Director & Founder
Marketplace Bible Institute
& Resource Center, Inc
Author of e-Books:
 *  Great Business Emulates a Good God
 *  Be Radical…Follow Christ!
 *  Simply The Messenger
 *  Unequally Married

Encourage your Friends…Share Today’s Message!