Each year at Christmas we see signs of the season—winter symbols such as reindeer, snowmen, and Christmas trees decking the halls and adorning the malls. But amidst the world’s holiday celebration, we also see signs of Christmas: angels, manger scenes, and wise men worshipping the baby, Jesus.
Because the wise men worshipped Jesus and honored Him by giving Him gifts, I want to show you why Jesus is the perfect Gift. Let’s begin by reading the passage of scripture about Jesus’ birth and the wise men’s journey to see Him.
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. ... When [the wise men] had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:1-3,9-11)
Gifts are important, and the gifts given to Jesus were also important. Jesus was given gold, incense (or frankincense), and myrrh. According to tradition, gold was given to the infant King as a token of His royalty. Frankincense, a fragrant incense used in sacrificial offerings, was meant to represent Jesus’ deity. Myrrh, a perfume or ointment, was a token of His future suffering.
During the Christmas season, we all think about the gifts we want to buy for friends and family. We try to find that “perfect gift.” It’s been said that a gift must meet three criteria for it to be considered “perfect.”
Number one, Jesus reflects the One Who gave Him—God the Father. The Bible teaches that Jesus is "the brightness of [God's] glory, and the express image of His person" (Hebrews 1:3). He is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15).
Jesus Himself said that anyone who had seen Him had seen the Father (John 14:9). The Father’s words were spoken from Jesus’ lips. The Father’s mercy and compassion were seen in Jesus’ actions. The Father’s abundant provision was demonstrated through Jesus’ generosity. The Father’s great power and love were revealed to us through Jesus! Jesus is the perfect Gift, and the perfect reflection of the One who gave Him.
Second, Jesus is the perfect Gift because God gave Him with knowledge of our needs. God knew we needed a Savior, Deliverer, Redeemer, Healer, and Friend. We needed someone who was fully God and fully man. Only Jesus could meet this need.
Being fully God enabled Jesus to carry our sin. His Deity enabled Him to be the spotless Sacrifice who could bear the sin of the world.
Being fully human allowed Jesus to identify with what we go through, enabling Him to provide for all of our needs and desires and to care for us in any situation.
Jesus became our Substitute. We owed a debt we could not pay, and Jesus paid a debt He did not owe. Because of Jesus, you and I can be free. If our greatest need had been information, technology, money, or pleasure, God would have sent us an educator, a scientist, an economist, or an entertainer. The truth is, our greatest need was redemption, and God sent a Redeemer! God knew what we needed, and He sent the perfect Gift.
Third, the Gift of Jesus holds its value for all eternity. Jesus is the Gift that keeps on giving. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Jesus suffered in our place when the penalty of our sins was laid on Him. He suffered and died for us, and then rose from the grave, proving His victory over sin and death.
Thousands of years later, the Gift of Jesus is still offered to you! Every generation needs a Redeemer. Every generation needs a Savior to lift them out of sin and into the righteousness of God. Jesus is one Gift that will never lose its value or worth. Jesus is the perfect Gift!
Even though we don’t deserve and could never earn this Gift, God freely gave Jesus to all who will receive Him. God’s love for us in Christ never fades, diminishes, or weakens. Have you received God's gift? Have you humbled yourself before the Creator, confessed your need of a Savior, and received Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Call out to God while you can! He promises to hear you.
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)
—Kenneth W. Hagin