What Did The Three Wise Men Bring To Baby Jesus

What Is the Significance of the Three Wise Men and Their Gifts?

A church service might easily be dismissed as merely another location to “get” something in our consumerist society in the United States of America. Moreover, this frame of mind is not surprising, considering that church facilities and worship services are well-known for providing refreshments, free childcare, beautiful music, positive messages, and much more in a climate-controlled, safe, and aesthetically attractive setting. There is nothing wrong with delicious coffee, children’s ministries, music, and everything else; yet, if we are not cautious, we can end up thinking of ourselves as consumers in our spiritual lives, rather than going to God with our offerings of worship and “sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15).

Following the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, many Magi journeyed to visit him, each of whom followed a different star or light in the sky.

They were a special class of priests who had been around for a very long time (Daniel 5).

During Daniel’s time in charge of these Magi, it is extremely plausible that he instructed them about the prophesies concerning the future Messiah (such as inNumbers 24:17andMicah 5:2).

Their education and authority allowed them to function as political consultants and even “king-makers” — which is an odd link to draw given that the Book of Matthew (in which Jesus is presented as the true king in the line of Judah) is the only gospel narrative that cites this incident.

“They rejoic[ed] greatly with great pleasure” when they eventually arrived at the house where the Christ Child was residing, and they “went down on their faces before Jesus and Mary and worshipped him” (an appropriate reaction to being in the presence of the King of Kings).

These were not just any old presents that they happened to have sitting around; each one was meaningful at the time it was given and continues to hold great significance for us now.

What Was the Significance of Each of the Magi’s Gifts?

The hue and sheen of gold have made it a valuable precious metal throughout history, and it has been used to make jewelry, decorations, coinage, and idols. 2. Frankincense is a pricey aroma or perfume that is derived from plants found in India and Saudi Arabia. 3. Myrrhis is a unique type of expensive perfume manufactured from rare thorn plants in Arabia and Ethiopia that is used as an antiseptic anointing oil and embalming fluid, as well as an antiseptic anointing oil. While these gifts would have been unusual and expensive for the Magi to send to Jesus’ family in first-century Palestine, they were not unheard of in the ancient world.

  • They “honored the King.
  • In a similar vein, the fact that these gifts were pricey indicated the depth of their selfless love and devotion for the newborn King.
  • The Magi did not spend their gifts on anything; instead, they were praising one another.
  • is not the hope of becoming wealthy via your service to others.
  • So, in order to enjoy you more, rather than things, I am intensifying and demonstrating this desire by giving up things in the intention of enjoying you more rather than things.
  • God, on the other hand, makes it very plain in his word that he does not require anything that we have to offer.

As the apostles preached in the Book of Acts: “The God who created the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he required anything, because he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” The God who created the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples built by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though Moreover, he created from a single man every country of people to live on every continent of the planet, having defined allotted periods and the bounds of their living place, in order that they may seek God and, if they were lucky, discover him.

Even yet, Jesus is genuinely very close to everyone of us, for “in him we live, move, and have our being” (John 10:10). (Acts 17:24-28, ESV).

What Is the Deeper Spiritual Meaning Behind These Gifts?

The ancient church believed that the three sorts of gifts clearly symbolized three fundamental characteristics of Christ’s personality, and therefore they were divided into three categories. In this case, the gold represents Jesus’ monarchy, the frankincense represents his divinity, and the myrrh represents his humanity. As a matter of fact, some have argued that the Magi “preached” the gospel in a concrete sense through the gifts they bestowed upon the infant Jesus. Whether they realized it or not, their presents represented the tale of God himself, who descended from Heaven in the form of our King (gold) to perform his priestly responsibilities (frankincense) and finally die for our sins (frankincense) (myrrh).

At the beginning of Jesus’ life, as well as at the conclusion of his life, when he was hanging on the cross (Mark 15:23) and subsequently being buried in the tomb, this element was given to him here (John 19:39).

And, as a result of his resurrection, we have the opportunity to have eternal life.

First and foremost, we must understand that the central message of the Magi tale, gift-giving, and the remainder of the Christmas (or Advent) holiday is that Jesus Christ came to earth to die in order to provide salvation for sinners — meaning people like you and me — who have fallen away from God (1 Timothy 1:15;Luke 19:10).

  • Second, just as the Three Wise Men replied to the heavenly light above them by going to Jesus and worshipping him, the Christmas season calls on all of us to respond to Jesus in one way or another during this season of giving.
  • This is due to the fact that Christmas provides us with the gospel, and the gospel demands that we respond to it.
  • We must, however, make a decision about what we will worship.
  • When we bow our hearts to him and put our precious “gifts” in front of him, we are expressing that he alone can fulfill our hearts, and this is because Jesus is the one true King.
  • Whoever goes in search of him will find him every time.” iStock/Getty Images Plus/Gama5 are credited with this image.
  • The couple has been married since 2008 and have three children, Brooklyn, Bryson, and Abram.
  • After completing his undergraduate studies at North Greenville University in South Carolina, Robert went on to complete his Masters at Liberty University in Virginia.
  • He has worked in a number of roles including worship pastor, youth pastor, family pastor, church planter, and presently Pastor of Worship and Discipleship at Cheraw First Baptist Church.

To serve God and His Church, he has set himself a life purpose of reaching the unreached with the gospel, discipling and inspiring others to go even farther in their spiritual journeys, and establishing a culture of multiplication for the glory of God. More information on him may be found here.

Why Did the Magi Bring Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh?

The medicinal properties of frankincense may provide some insight on the gifts of the Magi. Staff of the Biblical Archaeology Society Posted on January 06, 2022114 comments received 206861 views Were the gifts of the magi intended to alleviate Jesus’ arthritis-related discomfort? According to academics at Cardiff University in Wales who have been examining the medicinal benefits of frankincense, it is achievable. They say this is based on their findings. Biblical historians and theologians have proposed several interpretations of the meaning and importance of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the magi delivered to Jesus, according to Matthew’s Gospel, from the early days of Christianity (2:11).

In fact, these identical three objects were reportedly among the presents that King Seleucus II Callinicus presented to the deity Apollo at the temple of Miletus in 243 B.C.E., according to ancient records.

(Isaiah 60:6).

In addition to their utilitarian significance, the magi’s usual gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh may have held symbolic as well as practical significance.

The magi’s gifts were chosen, scholars believe, because they contained special spiritual symbolism about Jesus himself—gold representing his kingship, frankincense representing his priestly role, and myrrh representing his death and embalming—an interpretation that was popularized by the well-known Christmas carol “We Three Kings.” Another school of thought holds that the gifts of the magiwere a little more practical—perhaps even therapeutic in nature.

In a study conducted at Cardiff University, researchers discovered that frankincense has an active element that can help treat arthritis pain by suppressing the inflammation that causes cartilage tissue to break down and produce arthritis pain.

Is it possible that the magi “from the East” were aware of the medicinal virtues of frankincense when they brought it to the baby Jesus?

– “The Magi’s Gifts—Tribute or Treatment?” is a question based on Strata. The Biblical Archaeology Review published an article in January/February 2012 titled This Bible History Daily piece was first published in December 2011 and has since been updated.

Related reading in Bible History Daily:

Was Jesus a real person? Lawrence Mykytiuk’s complete essay from the January/February 2015 edition of BAR, which includes extensive endnotes, may be found here: Searching for Evidence Beyond the Bible Andrew McGowan’s complete essay from the December 2002 edition of Bible Review on how December 25 became Christmas may be seen here. Author Robin M. Jensen has written a book titled Witnessing the Divine: The Magi in Art and Literature. Tony Burke’s Christmas Stories from the Christian Apocrypha is available online.

Who Was Jesus’ biological father, and how did he come to be?

A variety of resins, including frankincense, were used in Roman burials throughout Britain.

Dig deeper into biblical Archaeology with your All-Access Membership

The universe of the Bible may be comprehended. Modern discoveries that give us with clues about the culture in which the ancient Israelites, and subsequently Jesus and the Apostles, lived allow us to get a better understanding of that civilization. The Biblical Archaeology Review serves as a guide on this interesting trip through time. Here is your invitation to come along with us as we learn more and more about the biblical world and its inhabitants. Each issue of Biblical Archaeology Review has papers that are richly illustrated and easy to read, such as the following: Discoveries from the time periods of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are fascinating.

  1. Book reviews of the most recent publications in biblical archaeology The BAS Digital Library contains the following resources: The Biblical Archaeology Review has been published for more than 45 years.
  2. 8 years of archaeology experience Odyssey online, a scientific and interesting exploration of the ancient foundations of the Western world, is available at http://www.odysseyonline.com/.
  3. Experts from across the world deliver video lectures.
  4. By studying biblical archaeology, you may learn more about the Bible.

Here’s What History Can Tell Us About the Magi

Christmas Day is celebrated on December 25, but the story of Christmas does not end there. In many Western Christian traditions, Christmas is celebrated over 12 days, with the feast of the Epiphany falling on January 6, the culmination of the season. Many people believe that’s when the “Magi,” or “wise men,” or “three kings,” arrive to see the newborn baby Jesus for the first time. But were any of these men influenced by real-life historical figures? It is difficult to link their depictions to specific individuals, but their descriptions in the Gospel of Matthew, which are only a few sentences long, do correspond to current understandings of the world at the time the Gospel was written, which is thought to have occurred sometime between 70 CE and 85 CE.

  1. Only “some men from the East” and “visitors from the East” are mentioned in the passage.
  2. We saw his star as it rose up in the East, and we have come to adore him.’” They arrived at Jesus and Mary’s home after following the light of a star, and they brought gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to them, as described in the Gospel.
  3. Frankincense was a sort of incense and perfume.
  4. It’s been used as a perfume and in embalming processes since ancient Egypt, and Christians have interpreted it as a foreshadowing of Jesus’s death, according to the Bible.
  5. Myrrh would also be used in oil used for anointing kings, which is significant given that the Magi had come looking for the king of the Jews.
  6. “They are called Magi in the Greek, which was a term that referred to a kind of subclass of Persian priests.
  7. TIME described the centuries of efforts to make sense of the Magi in the Dec.
See also:  Who Was Jesus' Brother

Matthew’s word Magi is a vague clue, since it can mean astronomers, wise men or magicians and was applied to people from all over.

Their interest in stars suggests Babylon, famous for its astrologers.

When actual Persians came marauding in 614, it was the only place of worship they didn’t torch… The Magi had a lively postbiblical career.

Their number, which varied in different accounts from two to 12, eventually settled on three, most likely because of their three gifts.

“The first is said to have been … an old man with white hair and a long beard,” reads a medieval Irish description.

The wise men seem to have kept busy well into their golden years, at least according to a calendar of saints at the great cathedral in Cologne, Germany, where their alleged remains are housed: “Having undergone many trials and fatigues for the Gospel,” it reads, they met one last time in Armenia.

  • St.
  • 1, age 116; St.
  • 6th, age 112; and St.
  • 11, age 109.” Medieval art played a key role in how many current Christmas traditions visualize these men.
  • Paintings by artists like Botticelli, Peter Paul Rubens and Hieronymus Bosch (featured above) helped cement the image of the Magi as a diverse group of men in popular imagination.
  • wrote the song often called “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” which quickly becamea popular American Christmas carol.
  • As Swenson sums up that dynamic, “We’re in good company when we reinterpret for our own particular lives and purposes these ancient texts as they’ve come down to us.
  • As Ukraine continues to resist, Putin raises the specter of nuclear war. How to Immediately Assist Ukrainians in Need
  • ‘We Will Defend Ourselves,’ says the group. a series of photographs depicting Ukraine under attack
  • Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is being watched across the world. Russian media, on the other hand, is telling a different story
  • The ways in which Putin is failing at his own disinformation campaign in Ukraine
  • It seems possible that Ketanji Brown Jackson will be appointed to the Supreme Court. The IPCC warns that the window of opportunity to adapt to climate change is rapidly closing.

Write to Olivia B. Waxman at the following address: [email protected].

The Christmas Story – All About The Wise Men

The arrival of the Three Wise Men; trips, political intrigue, and not a stable in sight.

The Story in the Bible

“Where is he who is born King of the Jews?” they inquired after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during Herod the king’s reign. Look, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem to inquire. Because we saw his star in the east and have came to adore him,” says the author. And when King Herod learned of it, he was concerned, as was the entire city of Jerusalem. And after collecting all of the top priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them as to where the Messiah would be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea, for it is stated via the prophet, ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come out a ruler who will shepherd my people, Israel,'” they explained.

  • When they arrived in Bethlehem, he told them to go and look for the tiny boy with diligence, and when they found him to bring me news so that I too might come and adore him.
  • And when they saw the star, they were filled with a tremendous amount of happiness.
  • They then presented him with presents, which included gold, frankincense, and myrrh, which they had opened from their riches.
  • Matthew 2:12 – 12:12

The History behind the Three Kings/Wise Men/Magi in the Christmas Story

After Jesus was born, Wise Men came to seek for Him, perhaps from a location which is today in either Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, or an area in what’s now southern Turkey, northern Syria. Despite the fact that they are commonly referred to as the “Three Kings,” the Bible does not specify how many there were or that they were kings. One possibility is that they were the Kings of Yemen, which would make sense given that the Kings of Yemen were Jews at the period. Three is simply a guess because they carried three presents with them; but, regardless matter how many of them there were, they would almost certainly have had many more slaves with them.

  • The name Magi is derived from the Greek word’magos,’ which is also the source of the English word’magic.
  • Today, we would refer to them as astrologers.
  • The patterns of the stars would have been watched obsessively by the magi, according to legend.
  • When they looked up at the sky, they noticed a strange new star, and they realized that it promised the birth of a particular ruler in Israel.
  • More information on the star may be found on the Star of Bethlehem page, which can be found under the Christmas Customs section.

They have been the subject of legends, and they have been given names. They are frequently described in the following ways:

  • He has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) and wears a green robe with green gems on it. Gaspar (or Caspar) also has brown hair and a brown beard (or no beard!) He is known as the “King of Sheba.” Gaspar represents the Frankincense that was given to Jesus, and Melchior, who has long white hair and a white beard and wears a gold mantle, represents the frankincense that was presented to Jesus. He is known as the “King of Arabia.” Melchior represents the gold that was presented to Jesus, while Balthazar, who has dark complexion, a black beard (or no beard!) and a purple cloak, depicts the silver that was brought to Jesus. He is the King of Tarsus/Macedonia as well as the King of Egypt. When Balthazar is presented before Jesus, he represents the gift of Myrrh that was delivered to Jesus.

Herod requested that the Wise Men locate Jesus and inform him of his whereabouts, not so that he might go and honor him as he had stated, but so that he could murder him! He interpreted Jesus’ words as if he were a new King who could come and usurp his position of authority. Because Jesus would have been between the ages of one and two when the Wise Men discovered them, it is likely that they were living in a typical dwelling, most likely in Bethlehem or Jerusalem, when the Wise Men discovered them.

Although the presents appear to be weird to give to a baby, Christians believe that they had the following symbolic meanings:

  • Historically, gold has been connected with kings, and Christians believe that Jesus is the King of Kings. Frankincense is a fragrant oil that is occasionally used in church services to indicate that people are willing to worship Jesus. It is a perfume that is applied to dead bodies in order to make them smell pleasant. According to Christian belief, it demonstrated that Jesus would suffer and die.

All of the presents are also from the Arabian Peninsula, which is located east of Israel. A dream forewarned the wise men that they should not go to Herod and inform him where Jesus was, preventing Herod from carrying out his heinous plot to kidnap and kill Jesus.

Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh – The Truth About Their Significance

Everywhere you look this month, you’ll see children acting out the nativity scene, and at the conclusion of the star-guided journey, you’ll see the Three Wise Men, dressed in dazzling dress-up robes and bearing a gift for each child. The Magi are a part of our Christmas customs, but there is a lot to learn about their role in the birth, particularly regarding the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh they brought with them. What is the importance of the gold, frankincense, and myrrh in the New Testament?

Biblical Account of the Magi

Biblical academics and theologians have proposed a variety of interpretations on the significance of the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the magi brought to Jesus, according to the Gospel of Matthew, since the early days of Christianity” (2:11). In the ancient world, rich commodities such as gold as a precious metal, frankincense as perfume or incense, and myrrh as anointing oil were traditional presents to be given to a monarch or a god as a mark of respect. In fact, these identical three objects were reportedly among the presents that King Seleucus II Callinicus presented to the deity Apollo at the temple of Miletus in 243 B.C.E., according to ancient records.

  1. (See Isaiah 60:6 for further information).
  2. Since then, academics have pondered and argued the issues surrounding them.
  3. What was the meaning of the presents given to the children?
  4. The fact of the matter is that we will never know (for certain) the truth regarding gold, frankincense, and myrrh, nor why the Magi traveled half-way across the world to honor the Christ Child with their gifts of these precious substances.
  5. The Magi (which can be rendered as “magician” but is most commonly translated as “wise man”) come in Matthew 2 after traveling from “the east” in quest of the Baby King.
  6. When they arrived in Jerusalem, they immediately rushed to Herod to inquire as to the whereabouts of the Baby.
  7. We don’t know when the visit took place, but we do know that they had been following the star for an extended period of time — maybe as long as two years.
  8. Readers of the NLF Get a FREE Hard Copy of the Book!

We want to thank you for your support by providing you with a FREEhard copy of our National Bestselling book. Click HERE to get yours RIGHT NOW!

Three Gifts from the East – Gold, FrankincenseMyrrh

The Magi, in contrast to the imagery we have in mind of three men each bearing a gift, are not numbered. The tale has been embellished by church history and custom to include the names of the men who actually brought the presents – Melchior giving gold, Caspar bringing frankincense, and Balthasar delivering myrrh. (2) Despite this, portrayals of the Magi have changed significantly since their initial iterations, and no one can agree on the exact number of visitors in total. Their gifts to the young Jesus were described as “opening their riches” in Matthew’s narrative.

See also:  Why Didnt Jesus Get Married

We aren’t talking about a handful of birthday presents here — regardless of the exact names and quantities, these were definitely affluent men traveling in a caravan with a lot of reputation and a lot to give the world.

1. Gold

The Magi were on their way to congratulate the newly crowned king, thus gold makes sense as a recognition of royalty. Gold was a precious metal that was also attractive and long-lasting. Gold, according to most scholars, symbolized Jesus’ status as a king who would reign forever on an endless throne of glory. That relic belonged in the possession of royalty, even if that royalty resided in the house of a young, impoverished family. Some feel that the gold was something altogether else, which is a fascinating notion that is a little on the edge.

Unless it was a gold-en spice like turmeric, as some people believe it was, gold appears out of place — one of these things is not like the other – This line of reasoning may even be traced back to the production of balsam oil, which is obtained from the resin of balsam trees that grow in the same climate and location as the origins of frankincense and myrrh.

It has a component “renowned for its anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic, and antifungal activities,” and it was formerly called the Balm of Gilead.

2. Frankincense

There’s no big surprise here, and there’s no outlandish notion that implies something surprising. Only an antique incense that is still useful now may be described as such. Traditionally, the gift of frankincense was seen as an affirmation of Jesus’ priesthood, distinguishing him from a conventional king and establishing him as a unique figure. Frankincense was employed in the temple’s rituals, and priests would burn it in a ceremonial fire. Because it was not indigenous to that region, acquiring frankincense from the east was a time-consuming and expensive endeavor.

Because we now have the ability to evaluate the qualities and modes of action that substances such as frankincense resin and its essential oil maintain, we can discover benefits that go beyond aroma and ceremonial purposes.

Traditional medicine recommends frankincense because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. Our understanding has expanded to include immune regulating properties, which might explain why it is used for both inflammatory sickness and antibacterial reasons. (4)

3. Myrrh

Myrrh, the most bittersweet of the presents, had been introduced to Egypt in large quantities for funeral ceremonies, and the practice had spread across the region. Myrrh was associated with death and burial even if it was not used in the mummification process. A depressing present for a new mother to grasp, but one that is lovely when viewed through the lens of her comprehension of his mission. But was it all that themyrrhwas meant to do? While myrrh was traditionally used for ceremonial purposes in the Middle East, it was also utilized for therapeutic purposes in the Far East.

  • Myrrh was utilized in ancient China for similar purposes, including wound healing and hemorrhage control.
  • In the same way that prophetic statements frequently had both immediate and long-term implications, it is possible that these talents followed a similar dual pattern.
  • Whatever the case, it’s entertaining to be entertained — the subtleties of Scripture never fail to astound me!
  • (6) While both the temple and Jesus’ improvised cradle were packed with fragrant compounds, they were also working to battle sickness and protect the people who lived in the vicinity.
  • The three Magi, according to certain early church history documents, reunited years later to celebrate Christmas with one another, soon before they died.
  • Our Readers Get a FREE Book on Us!
  • We’ll show you how to get a FREE copy of our #1 Bestselling Essential Oils Book, which is ranked #1 on Amazon.
  • You may claim your free copy by clicking HERE.

Who arrives on the 12th day of Christmas? Three Wise Men, of course

The museum’s curator of Latino history and culture in the Home and Community Life division, Dr. Margaret Salazar-Porzio, and intern Jonathan Borda discuss the highlights of the museum’s collection of Three Kings sculptures in honor of Three Kings Day on January 6. For many individuals in the United States, singing about the 12 days of Christmas is a childhood memory. It is a classic song of 12 cumulative verses that each time involve an increasing and increasing quantity of presents; remember the ringing chorus, “five golden rings”?

Even the animals bow down to the child Jesus in this representation of the Three Kings from Latin America.

As recorded in the Gospel of Matthew, the men discovered the heavenly infant at Bethlehem after traveling over the desert in search of it with the North Star.

It took them three days to travel by horse, camel, and elephant (respectively) from Bethlehem to the city of Nazareth to give the newborn baby Jesus three symbolic gifts: gold, because Jesus was royalty as “King of the Jews,” frankincense, which represented the baby’s holy nature as the Son of God, and myrrh, which represented Jesus’ mortality.

  • Because of the biblical Nativity narrative, January 6th is not only a holy day in many families, but it is also honored in a variety of ways all around the world on this day of celebration.
  • The set is now on show in the exhibition, Many Voices, One Nation, which is currently taking place.
  • In Argentina, for example, people dress up like the three kings and ride camels in public festivals and parades to raise awareness.
  • If the children have been nice during the year, they will get toys that have been left in the shoe boxes for them.
  • The Great Fruit Cake Toss is a tradition in Colorado that involves individuals costumed as kings and fools competing to see who can toss their fruitcake the farthest.
  • King Cakes are traditionally baked for the occasion, and, unlike the aforementioned fruitcakes, these are really eaten and appreciated by everybody.
  • The Smithsonian Institution has a large collection of Tres Reyes figurines.
  • Dr.

She has also written on her blog on how the Day of the Dead is not the same as Halloween. Jonathan Borda is a museum intern who works in the education department.

Why Were Gold, Incense, and Myrrh Appropriate Gifts for Jesus?

Then, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea during the reign of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem and inquired as to the whereabouts of the child who had been born king of the Jews. They went into the home and saw the infant with Mary his mother, and they dropped to their knees and worshiped him. They then opened their riches and presented him with presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (Matthew 2:1–2, 11)From the Bible tale, we learn very little about the wise men.

People sing the song “We Three Kings of Orient Are,” although we are not aware that the presents were given by three wise men, as is often believed.

Since they had traveled such a long distance and were under Herod’s orders to kill all children under the age of two, it is likely that they arrived when the infant Jesus had already grown into a young child.

He was more intrigued in the fact that Gentiles had come to worship the Jewish Messiah, as well as the presents that they brought with them.

Gold

It is simple to see why gold is a suitable present for the Lord Jesus Christ. Gold is considered to be the metal of kings. When Jesus was given with gold, it was an acknowledgement of his authority to govern. The wise men were aware that Jesus was the King of kings and that he was the Messiah. When Jesus was given with gold, it was an acknowledgement of his authority to govern.

Incense

Incense was also given as a thoughtful gift. It was employed in the temple’s religious ceremonies. It was used in conjunction with the oil that was used to anoint the priests of the nation of Israel. It was included in the meal offerings, which were intended to be expressions of gratitude and worship to God. They did so in order to draw attention to Christ as our great High Priest, the one whose entire life had been acceptable and well pleased to his Father.

Myrrh

Myrrh was traditionally used in embalming. By any human standard, it would be strange, if not disrespectful, to give an embalming spice to a child who is supposed to be the Savior. However, it was neither offensive nor out of the ordinary in this instance. It was a gift of faith on my part. We do not know what the wise men may have known or suspected about Christ’s career, but we do know that the Old Testament prophesied of his suffering on several occasions, and we believe that they did.

What Gifts Do You Offer?

There is a sense in which we, too, may offer our gifts of gold, incense, and myrrh on the basis of our faith. Make a start with your myrrh. Aside from representing Christ’s death, myrrh represents the spiritual death that should befall you as a result of your transgression against the law. “Lord Jesus Christ, I recognize that I am less perfect than you are and that I am a sinner,” you should say as you lay it at Christ’s feet. As a result of my transgression, I am aware that I will be permanently banished from your presence, and I accept this responsibility.

  1. That is what I believe.
  2. According to the Bible, there is no good in man that is not tainted by evil.
  3. Finally, bring your gold with you.
  4. As a result, by bringing your gold, you are acknowledging Christ’s authority over your life.

Provide direction and guidance in my life so that I may mature spiritually and be able to appreciate and serve you as you deserve.” If you have gone to the altar believing in everything that the myrrh, incense, and gold represent, you have begun a journey that will bring you enormous spiritual delight and happiness.

They are the only things we have to offer to the one who has given us everything through his love and mercy.

From 1982 until 2000, JAMES MONTGOMERY BOICE served as senior minister of Philadelphia’s historic Tenth Presbyterian Church and as an outspoken advocate for the Reformed religion. He died in June 2000 after a thirty-year tenure.

Related Articles

Crossway is a Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of proclaiming the gospel through the publication of gospel-centered and Bible-centered content. Crossway is a non-profit Christian ministry that exists solely for the purpose of publishing gospel-centered and Bible-centered content. Visit crossway.org/about to learn more or to make a donation right away.

See also:  What Jesus Actually Looked Liked

What is the Significance of the Wise Men’s Gifts? And, Were These Men Kings (or Magi)?

Don’t forget to check out the video at the end of the article! “WHO WERE THE WISDOM MEN?” has already been discussed. Then we responded with, “HOWDID THEY KNOW?” “Did the Three Wise Men Make Their Appearance?” At the end of the discussion, we’ll talk about “WHAT ISN’T THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE WISE MEN’S GIFT?” and “Was It Really These Men Who Were Kings?” The presents that the Three Wise Men delivered to Jesus are recounted in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 2:1). The Wise Men are likely to have had more than three presents, despite the fact that only three were named.

We Three Kings?

A well-known Christmas carol about three kings and the presents they brought to Christ’s birth is performed every year in our church. Due to the fact that the Bible does not mention them as kings, the hymn is not literally valid. This belief is most likely based on the monetary worth of the presents that they gave to Jesus, as well as a misunderstanding of the meaning of the words in Isaiah 60 that talk of the Millennium Kingdom. These persons are referred to as “wise men” in the Bible (Matthew 2:1).

They inquired about the whereabouts of the King of the Jews, who had been born there.

Matthew 2:11 (KJV) And when they entered the home, they saw the small boy with Mary his mother, and they dropped on their knees and worshipped him; and when they had opened their treasures, they brought presents to him, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as well as other gifts as well.

They donated their time, talents, wealth, and testimony, among other things:

  • They had traveled a long distance to see this Child—a gift of time
  • They had followed His star—a gift of talent (read:How did the wise men know to follow His star? )
  • And they had given their lives for this Child. It was their desire to worship Him that drove them to bring Him gifts—a present of wealth. When they arrived before Jesus, they “dropped down and worshipped Him.” They acknowledged both His Lordship and His Kingship in the process, which was a gift of evidence. In this article, you will learn what it means to live your life as a testament for Jesus. 3 Easy Steps! )

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh

The treasures that the three wise men brought were both valuable and significant in terms of prophetic significance. Gold, frankincense, and myrrh are all presents fit for a king, according to the Bible. As a sign of Christ’s divinity as King, frankincense represents His purity as a Priest of God, and myrh depicts His anointed labor as a Prophet and the event of His death, gold is used to indicate His deity as King. Look at what the Bible says about these gifts and what we sing about in the Christmas hymn “We Three Kings” to have a better understanding.

Gold = Kingship of God

In the Bible, gold is used to represent God. It is the most precious of all metals, and it is incredibly uncommon in its purest form, making it the most valuable. Since ancient times, the inherent worth of gold has been recognized, and gold has traditionally been used to honor rulers. King Solomon sat on an ivory throne that was lavishly decorated with the finest gold (1 Kings 10:18). The gold used in the Tabernacle’s furnishings is a sign of Christ’s divinity, and it is used to decorate the interior of the Tabernacle.

The mercy seat and two cherubim on either side of the mercy seat were constructed entirely of pure gold (Exodus 25:10-21).

The purity and value of gold are also connected with God’s laws, principles, and promises—all of which are perfect and pure, and which exceed any standards established by man.

The present of gold, given by one of the three wise men, alluded to the born Son, who was appointed by God to be King of His people and who was given this role by God. The gift of the wise man announced Jesus’ status as King at His birth (Matthew 2:2), as did the gifts of others throughout His life:

Jesus proclaimed Himself as King:

Matthew 27:11 (KJV) Jesus was now standing in front of the governor. As a result, the governor approached Him and inquired, “Are You the King of the Jews?” As a result, Jesus told him, “It is as you claim.”

Some of the people proclaimed Jesus King:

John 12:12-13 (NIV) When the people who had gathered for the feast learned that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem the following day, they were enraged. Taken palm branches in their hands, they walked out to meet him and shouted out, “Hosanna!” meaning “Blessed is the King of Israel who comes in the name of the Lord.”

Pilate proclaimed Jesus King:

18:39 (John 18:39) But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover: would you agree that I should release the King of the Jews to you? Then he says to the Jews, “Behold your King!” (John 19:14). 19:19 (John 19:19) Pilate then inscribed a title on the cross and nailed it to it. The inscription on the wall read, JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE. During His earthly career, Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God 60 times in different contexts. That Kingdom is present on this planet and may be found in the hearts of people who are followers of Jesus.

Verse 2: “We Three Kings” (We Three Kings) King on Bethlehem’s plain gold, I bring Him back to reign over us all as King forever and never ceasing to be a King.

Frankincense = High Priest of God

Frankincense is a fragrant, transparent resin derived from plants in northern India and Arabia that has a strong perfume (Isaiah 60:6; Jeremiah 6:20). It is used in incense and fragrances, and it was highly prized for its scent and medicinal abilities in ancient times. A component of the meat offering (Leviticus 2:16, 16; 6:15; 24:7) and a sweet savor, Frankincense was used in the Lord’s sanctuary (Exodus 30:34). It was also employed as a sweet savor in the temple of Solomon (incense). Frankincense is often used as a religious symbol (Psalm 141:2; Luke 1:10; Revelation 5:8; 8:3).

It also serves as a representation of the priest’s role in bringing the prayers of the people before the Lord (Luke 1:10, Revelation 8:3-5).

Mark 10:45 a.m.

3rd verse – We, the Three Kings I have Frankincense to present; Incense is the property of a Deity close by; prayer and praise, voices raised, Worshipping God from on high.

Myrrh = Prophet of God

Myrrh was a spice that was utilized in medicine, cosmetics, and anointing oil in ancient times. It was added to the oil that was used to anoint prophets before they began their divinely assigned task of exposing God and expressing His will and messages to His people on behalf of the people of God. As a Prophet, Jesus came to the country of Israel (Matthew 15:24), and He did so in fulfillment of a prophesy of Moses that read: Deuteronomy 18:15 is a biblical verse. The LORD thy God will raise up for thee a Prophet from among thee, one of thy brethren, who will be similar unto me; and unto Him you shall pay attention.

He claimed to be a Prophet in His own right, stating, “I am the Prophet.” Luke 13:33 (NIV) Nevertheless, I must walk today, tomorrow, and the day after that, for it is not possible for a prophet to expire outside of Jerusalem’s city walls.

13:57 (Matthew 13:57) They were angered by him, and they expressed their feelings to him. “But a prophet is not without honor, save in his own nation and in his own family,” Jesus responded to their question. In addition, Jesus’ actions as a Prophet verified His prophetic office:

  1. As a Prophet, Jesus carried out the Father’s instructions: 4:34 (John 4:34) ‘My flesh and blood are to execute the will of him who sent me and to complete his job,’ Jesus said to them. As a Prophet, Jesus carried out the will of the Father, which was as follows: 11:27 (Matthew 11:27) Every single item has been handed to me by my Father. As a Prophet, Jesus spoke the words of the Father, which were as follows: 8:28 (John 8:28) Then Jesus addressed them, saying. I do nothing on my own initiative
  2. Rather, following the example set by my Father, I utter these words.

12:49 (John 12:49) In fact, I haven’t spoken anything about myself; rather, the Father who sent me gave me specific instructions on what I should say and how I should say it. Another picture of the gift of myrrh is provided by the book of Revelation. Additionally, oil was utilized in the anointing of the dead, in addition to anointing prophets. In the presence of Jesus at His birth, myrrh was handed to him, alluding to His future life as a Prophet, and it was used at His death to prepare His body for burial.

So, after that day had passed, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had gone out and purchased pleasant spices so that they may come and anoint him with them.

John 19:40 (NIV) Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths with the spices, as was the Jewish custom for burying a body.

Breathes a life of accumulating darkness; sobbing, moaning, bleeding, dying, and so forth I was sealed up in the ice cold grave.

King, Priest and Prophet

As King of Israel (Messiah), Priest of God (to atone for human sins), and Prophet of God (speaking God’s words), Jesus came into the world to fulfill his mission. The gifts of the three wise men represented each of those offices in prophetic typology, and they pointed to everything that Jesus would accomplish in His incarnation and glorification as the Son of God. In the same way that the Wise Men gave of their time, talent, and treasure, so should we give of ours as well. Let’s not forget one more “t” before we wrap things up: testimony!

Our testimony of His love and faithfulness, along with everything He has done and given to us.makes us wise men as well!

O star of wonder, star of night,Star of royal beauty shining bright,Westward leading, still proceeding,Guide us to thy perfect Light, O star of wonder, star of night, *}}} Please keep in mind that each of these three talents has a future prophetic type associated with it.

Only the prophetic aspect of these gifts, which were given to Jesus at His birth and which were fulfilled in His incarnation, was discussed in this article.

We’ve seen the near fulfillment, and we’re keeping our eyes peeled for our Blessed Hope (Titus 2:13) and the far fulfillment of His rule and reign on the earth, which we believe is still a long way off (Revelation 11:15). *}}}

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.