Open the Gift: The Magi's Costly Worship

I loved watching you lift your hands today. Christmas isn’t a token holiday for us; it’s the declaration that God entered our mess, because on our own we’re a wreck. We opened Matthew 2 and followed the Magi—likely from Babylon, shaped by Daniel’s ancient witness—who traveled far with more than three little boxes. The star that started them wasn’t always visible; it dimmed when they reached Jerusalem, and they had to walk by faith until God lit it again and re-aimed them, not to Bethlehem, but to Nazareth. Sometimes the sign that began your journey goes dark so your faith can grow up. Keep moving.

When they arrived, they didn’t find a baby in a manger, but a child in a house. They collapsed, kissed the ground, and opened their treasures—plural—lavish, weighty gifts. Their worship had weight because it cost them. Those gifts also had purpose: gold to fund a costly detour into Egypt, to preserve the Promised Child through danger, and perhaps to underwrite the ministry years later. God’s provision often precedes a path we don’t yet know we’ll have to walk.

Gold is refined by fire; frankincense only releases its fragrance when crushed; myrrh points to death. The gifts preach the gospel: glory refined, prayer rising, and a life poured out. Jesus later refused wine mixed with myrrh so he could feel the full weight of our pain; the tomb carried a fragrance heaven had already supplied. So I called us to three practices. First, rejoice with exceedingly great joy—not because the mood is perfect, but because the King has come. Second, pour out costly worship—giving, serving, and obeying until it stretches you. Third, never get over the cost—open the gift that demands surrender. Many of us love the season while leaving Christ’s gift on the shelf. But opening it changes everything: forgiveness, purpose, and a new direction. You can’t meet Jesus and go home the same way. The invitation stands, and the waters of baptism are ready.

Key Takeaways

• 1. When the star goes dark God sometimes lets the visible guide fade so we learn to trust his voice. The Magi kept going when the evidence vanished, and in God’s timing the light reappeared to correct their course. Mature faith isn’t frantic; it obeys the last clear word while waiting for the next. Keep moving—clarity comes to those already walking. [40:39]
• 2. Lavish worship collapses our pride The Magi fell, kissed the ground, and opened treasures because true worship displaces self at the center. It isn’t primarily a song; it’s surrender with weight. You cannot encounter Jesus and leave arranged exactly as you came. Let worship re‑arrange you. [43:16]
• 3. Provision precedes the journey of obedience Gold arrived before Joseph had to flee to Egypt, because God funds what he commands. Some of that provision may even have sustained Jesus’ later ministry—generosity outlives the giver. When you obey in giving, God multiplies it across miles and years. He is already preparing tomorrow’s manna today. [46:30]
• 4. Joy is a theological act “Exceedingly great joy” isn’t a mood you catch; it’s a response to beholding the King. Rejoicing anchors you in reality deeper than circumstances. Practice it—speak it, sing it, and embody it—because joy is fitting when Jesus is present. The presence of Christ justifies celebration. [50:27]
• 5. Never get over the cost Myrrh foreshadows a crucified Savior who refused the pain-dulling cup, choosing to bear our wounds awake. The aroma that filled the tomb wasn’t from spices alone; it was the fragrance of a life poured out and vindicated. Opening his gift requires surrender, but it yields forgiveness, purpose, and resurrection hope. Don’t leave him wrapped for another year. [64:04]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [02:00] - Greeting and Online Family
• [05:30] - Prayer of Surrender
• [08:00] - Reading Matthew 2
• [12:00] - Who Were the Magi?
• [37:18] - The Star, Timing, and Faith
• [40:39] - When Evidence Fades, Keep Walking
• [43:16] - Treasures, Worship, and Change
• [46:30] - Gold’s Provision and Jesus’ Ministry
• [50:27] - Why Myrrh? Cost and Death
• [57:18] - Pouring Out Costly Worship
• [64:04] - The Myrrh in the Cup Refused
• [65:32] - Don’t Leave Jesus Unwrapped
• [69:20] - Invitation, Baptism, and Blessing

1. In Matthew 2, what clues show that some time had passed since the birth? Notice “house” instead of “stable” and “young child” instead of “baby.” How does that reframe the scene the Magi walked into?
2. What happened with the star’s visibility on the Magi’s journey, and how did that affect their steps once they reached Jerusalem? “The star is not shining… so they’re walking by faith” [40:39]
3. What did the Magi physically do when they saw Jesus, and what did they open? Look closely at the words “fell down,” “worshiped,” and “treasures (plural).” Why might “treasures” matter? [43:16]
4. What message did Joseph receive in a dream after the Magi left, and where did the family go? How might the earlier gifts have connected to that command? [46:30]

1. Why might God allow the “star” to go dark at times? What does this teach about trusting God’s voice and obeying the last clear word before the next light appears? [40:39]
2. What does the Magi’s posture (collapsing, kissing the ground) and their opening of “treasures” tell us about the nature of true worship? How does costly worship displace self from the center? [43:16]
3. Gold refined by fire, frankincense fragrant when crushed, myrrh pointing to death—how do these gifts preach the story of Jesus’ glory, prayer, and sacrifice? What is the significance of Jesus refusing the pain‑dulling myrrh‑wine? [01:04:04]
4. How does the flight to Egypt, resourced by the gifts, shape our understanding that God’s provision often precedes our obedience? Where else in Scripture or life do we see God fund what He commands? [46:30]

1. Where has your “star” gone dark lately—an area where the signs aren’t as clear as they once were? What’s the last clear word from God you can keep obeying while you wait for fresh light? [40:39]
2. If worship carries weight, what would “opening your treasures” look like for you right now—time, resources, service, or obedience that actually stretches you? Be specific. [43:16]
3. Consider generosity that outlives the giver. What step of obedience (giving, serving, going) is God nudging you toward that you’ve delayed because you’re waiting to “see” more? How could you trust that provision often comes before the journey? [46:30]
4. Practice “exceedingly great joy” this week. What habits could help you rejoice on purpose—song, spoken gratitude, celebration around the table—even if the mood isn’t perfect? Name one you will practice. [50:27]
5. “Never get over the cost.” How will you keep the cross in view this week—Scripture, communion, confession, or a simple daily prayer? What changes when you remember Jesus refused the cup so He could fully bear your pain? [01:04:04]
6. Have you left Jesus’ gift “unwrapped”—admiring the season but holding back surrender? What specifically keeps you from opening it (control, fear, pride)? What next step could you take—repentance, a conversation, or even baptism? The waters are ready. [01:05:32] [01:12:25]