Scripture: “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 2:11
Observation: The Bible explains how wise men “from the east” traveled to Jerusalem in search of a very special king. Upon their arrival, they had an audience with Herod, explained their reason for being in Jerusalem, and asked where this “King of the Jews” was to be found. Learning that Bethlehem was their final destination, they traveled to the City of David, where they presented their gifts and worshipped the baby Jesus.
Application: One of the wonderful things about the Bible is how everything fits together perfectly. For example, Old Testament Jewish feasts, established by God, were perfectly identified with the various stages and events of Jesus’ life. In today’s verse, we see how three simple items speak volumes when it comes to the Lord Jesus Christ.
While we don’t know how many magi, or wise men, traveled to see the new king, we do know about the three gifts they brought. Each gift has a specific purpose, established centuries earlier, and the connection between their purposes and the Lord Jesus Christ is quite clear. Here is the significance of each gift.
- The Gift of Gold
- Represents royalty and kingship
- “For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness: thou settest a crown of pure gold on his head.” – Psalm 21:3
- “The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.” – Psalm 45:13
- Jesus is the King of all kings; there is none higher than He.
- “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” – Revelation 19:16
- Represents royalty and kingship
- The Gift of Frankincense
- Represents the priesthood
- “And he shall bring it to Aaron’s sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD:” – Leviticus 2:2
- “And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD.” – Exodus 30:37 (cf verses 34-36)
- Jesus is the High Priest of heaven
- “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.” – Hebrews 4:14
- Represents the priesthood
- The Gift of Myrrh
- Represents holiness
- “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” -Psalm 45:8
- Represents suffering and death, used to anoint the bodies of those who died.
- “And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” – John 19:39
- Jesus was holy, without sin, and as such became the only sacrifice for sin that would be acceptable to a holy God, His Father.
- “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John 2:2
- Represents holiness
These three gifts are representative of Jesus as the promised King worthy of worship and praise, the High Priest who bridges the gap between mankind and almighty God, and the perfect holy sacrifice for humanity’s sins. This Christmas, take time to go beyond the manger. See the cross, then thank God for the gift of His Son, Jesus. We will see Him one day as King, when every knee shall bow before Him, as High Priest, who has offered His own precious blood for our sins, and as our Risen Saviour, who conquered death and the grave! Rejoice! Again, I say, rejoice!
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, You are the Blessed Redeemer, the Prince of Peace, the Son of God. You alone are worthy of all honor, praise, and eternal adoration. You are the Saviour of the world! You shed Your precious blood to purchase my salvation, and I am so grateful! May Your name be exalted and blessed forever! Amen and amen!
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ was born today.
Ox and ass before him bow, and he is in the manger now.
Christ is born today! Christ is born today!
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this!
He has opened heaven's door, and we are blest forevermore.
Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!
Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul and voice;
Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save!
Calls you one and calls you all to gain his everlasting hall.
Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!
(from “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” by John M. Neale)
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“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” – Ephesians 5:2