The Bethany Bullet Sermon Message - Week of January 5, 2020

Sermon: “Resolutions Made & Resolutions Kept”

Text: Matthew 2

The gifts Jesus received on The Epiphany are a revelation of the gifts He gives; and tell us who He is while He is too young to yet make manifest these truths.

Gold: a present for princes.  This gift reveals to the Bethlehem family what the Magi had communicated to Jerusalem's leaders, "He is born to be king of the Jews."  Of course, Jesus is not only Israel's king; He rules and reigns over all!  A fact He will unveil to church and state rulers alike.  "You will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of a God the Father."  "My kingdom is not if this earth."

Frankincense: a donation to Deity.  This gift reveals that this child is both human and divine at the same time:  100% man, 100% God.  The truth manifest at the beginning of Jesus' life is proclaimed again and again, to friend and foe alike, towards the end of His ministry.  "Flesh and blood has not revealed this truth to you Peter (the truth that Jesus is the Son if the Living God) but my Father who is in heaven."  "Before Abraham was I am!"

Myrrh: a contribution to corpses.  This gift reveals the purpose of His birth.  While the Magi secretly go home without sharing with Herod their discovery of the child.  Thus Jesus escapes Herod's evil intentions and heinous crime; so that He might later be sacrificed on account of ours.  When grown He will reveal the nature of His mission, "I have come to give my life as a ransom for many."

The gifts Jesus received reveal the gift He brings; and the gifts the Magi (and we His people) bring reveal the gift they have received in Him.

- Pr. Kevin Kritzer