Gifts from the Magi

We looked at this passage a few weeks ago but this time we are looking at it in a different way.

The Magi that came to Bethlehem were most likely from Babylon and Persia.

These were high ranking members of the Kings court that were not under the authority of the King.

These were the ones that established the legitimacy of the Kings and this is what they were there to do to the Child born in Bethlehem.

They came to worship the new king, they not only worshiped the king but they brought Him gifts, Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh.

The family would use these gifts to help with their flight to Egypt and to help pay for their stay until the death of Herod.

But these gifts had a deeper meaning, taking out the usefulness in the money they provided for the family (which the Magi had no idea they would need).

They served as a reminder of what Christ had come to do.

Gold for a King

Jesus is the one true king, He is King of the Jews but He is also King of all creation.

Gold is the most often mentioned valued metal in scripture; it was used back then much the same way as we use it today.

Gold was also used in the building of the temple and the things that were in the temple such as the ark of the covenant.

Matthew continuously presents Jesus as the King of the Jews, he shows the royal line of David that Jesus was born into, and shows his power and right of Kingship throughout the whole book.

While it may not look like it here Matthew shows Jesus being treated as the great king he is, by being presented with the gifts of a king and they are being presented by the ones who anoint Kings.

By the very definition of the word King it means to Lord over everything in their realm.

Many people except Jesus as king but it is harder to except him as Lord.

He must be the Lord of our life and we must surrender our whole lives to him not just what we do on Sundays.

Is he the Lord of your Life?

Frankincense for a Priest

It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary (Ex. 30:34), and was used as an accompaniment of the meat-offering (Lev. 2:1, 16; 6:15; 24:7).

When burnt it emitted a fragrant odour, and hence the incense became a symbol of the Divine name (Mal. 1:11; Cant. 1:3) and an emblem of prayer (Ps. 141:2; Luke 1:10; Rev. 5:8; 8:3).

In the book of Hebrews the writer calls Jesus our high priest. Hebrews 4:14-16

Hebrews 4:14–16 ESV

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

On the great day of atonement the high priest would go into the holy of hollies and pour the blood of a prefect lamb of the top of the ark of the covenant which was called the mercy seat.

The burnt Frankincense would also be poured onto the mercy seat which was a representative of the nations prayers being lifted up to God.

On the day of the crucifixion when Jesus drew His last breath the veil that kept the holy of holies separate from the rest of the temple was split down the middle, christ blood was the permeant sacrifice for our sins.

He is now our great High Priest

Myrrh for a Savior

This was a spice that was used in the preparation of bodies during burial.

The process for burial would go like this:

Once the body was placed in the tomb

it was wrapped in clean linens

and it was covered in oils and perfume to help keep down the smell

over the next year the body would breakdown and the Myrrh would help with process.

after this the bones of the loved one would be put into a small box called an ossuary.

This allowed a lot of family members to be buried in one tomb.

But why was such a gift given to a baby?

The Magi knew the prophecy’s about what this king would do not only for His people but the whole history of mankind.

When they bowed in worship they were doing so with a grateful heart as ones who had seen their salvation.

Do we look at Christ the same way?

Are we that thankful for what He has done for us?