Untitled Sermon

gold farnkinsents and myrrh

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible Chapter 2

gold, frankincense, and myrrh—Visits were seldom paid to sovereigns without a present (

Myrrh-

Myrrh is a precious gum yielded by a tree common in Arabia and Ethiopia, typically about eight or nine feet high with a thorny trunk. The gum was extracted by incising the bark and was often exported by Nabatæans and Phenicians. Initially oily and yellowish-white, the gum hardens into reddish drops with a distinctive balsam smell and bitter taste, with the best kind flowing naturally. Myrrh had multiple uses, including as an ingredient in holy ointment, a perfume for clothing and beds, an unguent, and a substance for embalming. In the context of crucifixion, it was often mixed with wine as a painkiller, and was regularly offered to criminals just before crucifixion by an association of wealthy women in Jerusalem. Notably, when offered this drink, Jesus refused to drink, choosing instead to face death fully conscious. This was part of His voluntary self-surrender, fulfilling His statement that in John 10:18 

“No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.”.

Interestingly, when the Magi offered myrrh to the infant Jesus, many Church Fathers interpreted this as a symbolic foreshadowing of Christ’s future suffering and death

Frankincense-

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Frankincense

Fragrant gum resin that can be ground into powder and burned to produce a balsam-like odor. It was often associated with myrrh (Sg 3:6; 4:6;

The Magi brought frankincense to Jesus for both practical and deeply symbolic reasons that reveal their understanding of His identity.

On a practical level, the Magi were versed in healing and medicinal properties, and in the first-century world they customarily gave birthing gifts to families of prominence that included medicines for healing and disease prevention. Since childhood mortality rates were extremely high, such rare and expensive items held tremendous value beyond their monetary worth.

Beyond its practical application, frankincense carried profound theological significance. Frankincense was a valuable and expensive sacred oil used in temple rituals and celebrations. In Leviticus, God’s people were instructed to include frankincense with grain offerings so their offerings would have a pleasant aroma when burned, and traditionally frankincense reminds us of Jesus’s divinity because the smoke of burning incense rises to heaven.

It also presents multiple symbolic interpretations of the gift. Some scholars believe frankincense symbolizes Jesus’ priestly function to humanity and His role as redeemer of Israel, while others believe it symbolizes the sacred temple into which Jesus will usher in the new covenant. Frankincense was additionally used in households for worship and fragrance, and as an oil of celebration and inauguration into His messianic role1.

The gift-giving may allude to Psalm 72:10–11 and Isaiah 60:6, which refer to foreigners bringing gifts in honor of God’s royal Son. Together with gold and myrrh, frankincense communicated the Magi’s realization that the child they visited was no ordinary infant, but rather Israel’s promised Messiah—worthy of the most precious and sacred offerings available to them.

Gold-