taking out the trash…

the third gift of the wise men was “myrrh” which comes from stunted trees. it is a brown, fragrant perfume that is used to anoint dead bodies - to embalm & preserve them. myrrh represents the work and mission of JESUS. HE came to die for us upon the cross.

simeon had already revealed to mary in the temple that this BABY was going to be a source of conflict and controversy and that her own heart would be pierced as if by a sword. the foreshadowing continues when the wise men give the gift of myrrh, a burial spice used to anoint the dead. not your typical baby gift!

from the very beginning, the shadow of calvary fell across the path of JESUS. and there's no way we can worship HIM in spirit and in truth without taking seriously the sacrificial part. worship can fill us up in many ways, but worship also takes something out of us. worship cleanses us of the ideas and actions and attitudes that separate us from GOD. when we really worship, we can't be content any more to live with hatred and resentment and guilt and prejudice and lust in our hearts. we have to take the garbage out.

there was a devotional in the upper room magazine written by a man from california named robert j. eckert. he wrote about the wonderful activities he enjoys on sundays - worship in the church, prayer, nature walks, rest, and conversations with loved ones. then, the last thing he does on sunday is to roll the garbage can out to the curb, because his trash service picks up on monday morning. he didn't choose monday mornings as trash pick-up day, but that act of taking out the garbage has become a meaningful part of his sabbath experience. it reminds him that worship includes recognition of changes that need to be made and confession of sin and reception of forgiveness and resolution to behave better. after worship, we ought to enter the new week with all our trash emptied!

then, with our trash hauled away, we're free to give of ourselves to others. this is the sacrificial part. when we follow JESUS, who from the day HE was born had a date with the cross, how can we think that our spiritual path will be easy - without risk or commitment or courage needed? true worship leads to service. encountering CHRIST commands a response from us - not just on sunday, but every day of the week. worship happens, not just inside the walls of the church, but in the offices and the schools and the stores and the restaurants and anywhere we have a chance to put our faith into action.

just a thought from the front porch…