tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224423727920393651.post5508229018857741622..comments2023-09-13T14:08:53.236+01:00Comments on antony billington’s blog: Of Astrologers, Magicians, and Bungling SorcerersAntonyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03562805413837448049noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224423727920393651.post-23870378860379626552017-01-03T10:51:04.577+00:002017-01-03T10:51:04.577+00:00Thanks for your reflections, James – much apprecia...Thanks for your reflections, James – much appreciated.Antonyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03562805413837448049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1224423727920393651.post-28048564202119113472017-01-03T08:48:26.156+00:002017-01-03T08:48:26.156+00:00For what it's worth this Christmas, I've b...For what it's worth this Christmas, I've been contemplating how Jesus rejected each of these 'signpost' gifts as he lived out his earthly life. He'd almost rejected the gold - for kingship - by the time it was given. He certainly flagged up serious warnings about earthly wealth as he taught and lived, and his kingdom was 'not of this earth' when he encountered Pilate. Frankincense - for priesthood - was used as a means by which imperfect offerings were made acceptable to God by the priests. He fought with the priests of the day throughout his ministry, rejecting their teachings and mechanistic legalism. He made himself to be "the way" rather than any ritual priestly activities. And Myrrh - for the preservation of corpse - well, he rendered that completely redundant. His glorious resurrection threw the need for myrrh into oblivion once, for all, for ever.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02359047960921951804noreply@blogger.com