#DailyDevotion Don’t Be An Idiot. Take The Offer

Isa 60:4-6  Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.  (5)  Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and exult, because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you.  (6)  A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news, the praises of the LORD.

You ever wonder where they got three wise men or three kings from? Well there were the three gifts, but this passage is seen as fulfilled when they visit Jesus in Bethlehem and we got three places too, Midian, Ephah and Sheba. Of course the reality was most likely there was a large contingent from these places. A multitude of camels implies a lot of people. The only thing missing is myrrh but that’s not a problem as you can always add more. But they most certainly did have the gold and the frankincense.

Now verse 6 and verse 1-3 tend to deal mostly with the birth of Christ up to his departure into Egypt. But verses 4 and 5 are more eschatological (last days). Now when the apostles went forth into the world they brought the good news to the world, first to the Jews and then to the Gentiles. They were gathering up the sons and daughters of Israel and bringing them into the kingdom of God. Indeed, Christ’s Church continues even to this day to gather the sons and daughters of Abraham into the bosom of Christ and his Church.

Christ Jesus’ heart is thrilled and exulted and his face is radiant as his people are gathered to him. But that is too small thing for the Lord. So he is gathering the nations as well to become children of Abraham and subjects of Christ Jesus. For two thousand years now the nations and the wealth of the nations has been coming to Jesus and subjecting themselves unto him. For it is in being subject to Christ that we find our true freedom: freedom from sin, from the slavery of the fear of death, from being subject to the devil.

The wise men no doubt brought the good news of Jesus, the praises of the Lord back to their homelands where they would have to wait another thirty-three years or so until they heard again that the child they visited had indeed died for their sins, rose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. They received the good news with joy.

Now you are called to come to Jesus. Will you subject yourself to his reign and experience the freedom he has for you? Will you receive from him his kingdom which he offers to all who trust him? What does the world and the devil have to offer you? Only an eternity of torment. But Jesus offers you eternal life and sitting with him on his throne ruling creation. Don’t be an idiot. Take the offer.

Heavenly Father, grant us your Holy Spirit and faith that we may trust Jesus and receive from him eternal life and your eternal kingdom. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.