The Gift of Fankinsence

We are now one week closer to Christmas and we are looking at Christmas gifts.

We have seen that in Matthew 2 that the Magi brought gifts and presented them to Jesus around two years after His birth. We saw last week that these men saw the star in the east, searched the holy Scriptures for two year before setting out, they came to Jerusalem seeking the One born king of the Jews. Not finding the One they sought they found information that led them to where He would be found. Once in Bethlehem they found the child and His parents and the Bible says Matthew 2:11

Matthew 2:11 KJV 1900

11 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.

Last week we looked at the gift of gold and how it represented, as the very least His rightful position as King. Today we will explore the next gift of great value, frankincense. Following our outline we will discuss it’s implications both practically and prophetically. Notice first:

Practically

Here are three reasons the gift of frankincense would have been a tremendous blessing to this family:

Its rarity - made it valuable

What we call frankincense would be known as “laban” in Hebrew

The incense was an imported product from southern Arabia

Becasue of its rarity and difficulty in obtaining, it was in high demand, which made it very expensive

The fact that the Magi brought this to Jesus was proof that they understood Him to be more than just another baby

The fact that the gift was very expensive and could be sold for a huge profit was proof of God’s provision for this family. Another

Its odor - made it desirable

Considered the finest burning incense int he world it was used in many different ways

It is said that Nero burned an entire year’s worth of frankincense at his wife’s funeral to conceal the odor of the cremation

God commanded Moses to include this as one of the ingredients of the perfume used in worship at the tabernacle Exodus 30:34 “34 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:”

Which leads to another practical usage...

Its uses - made it holy

The main function of frankincense was its used in worship.

It was part of the incense burned on the altar of incense in worship to God and represented the prayers of His people rising up to His throne.

This gift of frankincense, which was rare, valuable, desirable, and holy was a welcomed gift to the family. They understood once the gold ran out they could then sell the frankincense. Their understanding ran so much deeper, they understood there was also a spiritual meaning, now we look at what the frankincense meant...

Prophetically

Prophetically speaking it symbolized the following of Jesus...

Purity - Holy Lamb of God

Our English word is derived from two French words : “ franc encens (“pure incense”).

It’s purity represents the purity and holiness of Jesus

These wise men were no fools!

They understood that they one they came to visit was more than a man, more than a king, He was God and deserved to be worshiped!

There is more though, it speaks also to the...

Priesthood - Our High Priest

The burning of incense at the tabernacle and later the temple was something reserved for the priest

The priests role differed from that of the prophet

The prophet spoke to the people on behalf of God

The priest spoke to God on behalf of the people

Thus this gift insinuates that the wise men understood there was even more to the child they were worshiping:

Jesus is our High Priest!

He prepared our way to worship God

He offered Himself as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins

And as our High priest, we see one more prophetic meaning of this gift...

Prayer - Our Intercessor

If the altar of incense represented to prayers of the saints, as offered by the priest, then Jesus is the ultimate intercessor!

Sometime, read for yourself John 17.

In this prayer Jesus intercedes, that is prays for His people, those who were with Him, and those of us who are alive today!

Today we are told Jesus is interceding on our behalf at the throne of God

1 John 2:1 “1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:”

Hebrews 7:25 “25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.”

These men from the east knew there was so much more to Jesus than just another baby. They knew He was God in the flesh, came to earth to live among men and one day to become, more than just their Savior, but One who would be a mediator between God and man.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV 1900

5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

Conclusion:

As mediator, Jesus is our go-between. The only thing standing between you and the righteous wrath of God right now is Jesus Christ.

You can choose: Will you fall down and worship Him today as your Savior and God and have Him forgive your sins, or will you reject Him and face eternity in Hell?

The wise men were so convinced that the Christ had been born that they searched the Scriptures, faced an evil king, and did not rest until they found Him and worshiped Him.

Today is the day you make up your mind. Listen, the wisemen knew 2000 years ago that Jesus was their only hope. He is your only hope today. You say, “How can I have hope?” Simple, right where you are trust what Jesus said, that if you will admit your sins, believe He died and rose again to save you, call on Him, you will be saved.