A Sacrifice

GOI Bible Study

The best gift for a sacrifice

Matthew 2:1-12

Christmas is a time of joy and celebration, but at its heart lies the profound truth that Jesus was born to die--a sacrifice for our sin. From the manger to the cross, His mission was clear, to reconcile a broken world to God. Even the gifts brought by the wise men hinted at His sacrificial death. As we marvel at the humility of His birth, let us remember that His incarnation was the beginning of the greatest act of love,the Lamb of God stepping into our world to bear our sin and secure our salvation.

Nobody who is non-Christian can genuinely worship God because it's spirit and truth.

What deeper spiritual significance lies beneath these seemingly simple gifts, and how do they reveal the multifaceted nature of Christ? By examining these gifts through a typological lens, we uncover rich layers of meaning that connect Old Testament practices with the divine purpose of Jesus’s incarnation.

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

Nobody who is non-Christian can genuinely worship God because it's spirit and truth.
  • Gold
    • Practical gift for the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt
    • Represents Christ’s kingship
    • Symbolizes divine nature through tabernacle imagery
    • Demonstrates God’s providential planning
  • Frankincense
    • Primary ingredient in holy temple incense
    • Represents worship in “spirit and truth”
    • Encompasses aspects of prayer: worship, praise, intercession, thanksgiving
    • Emphasizes the importance of pure, genuine worship
  • Myrrh
    • Bitter to taste but sweet in aroma
    • Connected to death and sacrificial love
    • Used in anointing oil
    • Represents permanent spiritual anointing of believers
    • Practical uses: painkiller, preservation

And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:23

We're more likely to get Christians mourning about the circumstances and situations they'd been thankful that God has lifted them out of the miry clay.

This study beautifully unveils Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the divine, anointed King who embodies love, sacrifice, and redemption. From the practical gold to the sweet-smelling frankincense and the transformative myrrh, each gift tells a story that goes far beyond a simple offering – they prophesy and celebrate the mission of Christ. It’s like unwrapping a divine gift that keeps revealing more layers of meaning with each careful examination.

    Bible References

  • Matthew 2:1-12
  • Micah 5:2
  • 1 John 2:20
  • 1 John 2:27
  • 2 Corinthians 1:21
  • Philippians 4
  • Mark 15:23

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