The Magi & The Messiah

Intro:

Pay close attention to the words here; the wise men were not at the nativity of Jesus. Yet, they play a very important role in the narrative of His birth.

1). The star appeared when Jesus was born, and these men came from the east which would have been a several month journey. They saw His star while they were still in the east.

2). When they came to Herod, he tried to determine from them the exact time the star appeared. This is b/c he was trying to calculate the age of the child in order to destroy him.

3). V. 11 “coming into the house” not the stable. Furthermore as a newborn infant Jesus nor Mary would not have had the strength for the flight into Egypt.

The gifts of the Magi would have given the Messianic family the financial resources for the journey, and these gifts were their respective offerings of worship, and through that worship is the revelation of who this child was to really be.

The gifts were not merely profitable; they also were prophetic.

The True Meaning of the Gifts

The Bible doesn’t really tell us how many wise men there were; we have assumed three b/c there were three gifts presented to Jesus.

The emphasis here should not be on the magi or how many of them there were, but on the gifts they brought.

These gifts were not just presents for the new baby, they were prophetic insights into the nature of the Christ-child.

They are listed in order of significance and worth. But I want to begin w/ the lowest first.

Myrrh - the anointed one.

Myrrh was one of the primary ingredients in the anointing oil recipe God handed down to Moses.

Exodus 30:23 NASB95

“Take also for yourself the finest of spices: of flowing myrrh five hundred shekels, and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, two hundred and fifty, and of fragrant cane two hundred and fifty,

Anointed one means He was the anointed prophet who was to come.

Deuteronomy 18:15 NASB95

“The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him.

Luke 7:16 NASB95

Fear gripped them all, and they began glorifying God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited His people!”

Myrrh was also used as an anesthetic and was offered to Jesus when He was on the cross (Mark 15:23). It was believed to have medicinal value.

Myrrh was bitter to the taste which is also indicative of the role of the prophet; prophets were persecuted and put to death for their messages.

Jesus was to be no different; He was put to death b/c of His message and representation of the Father. Yet, He was the greatest prophet who ever lived.

2. Frankincense — high priest.

It was only the high priest who could enter in to the Holy of holies, and that only once a year and NOT w/out incense.

Leviticus 16:12–13 NASB95

“He shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before the Lord and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. “He shall put the incense on the fire before the Lord, that the cloud of incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the ark of the testimony, otherwise he will die.

It was the high priest who offered sacrifices and made expiation for the sins of the people.

The high priest served as a mediator between God and man; yet, his mediatorial service was limited b/c he was just a man.

Hebrews is a great book that reveals much about Christ as mediator.

Hebrews 4:15 NASB95

For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 9:15 NASB95

For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.

Paul said

Gal

Galatians 3:20 NASB95

Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one.

Jesus was the God-man and therefore able to represent both parties.

3). Gold — the King

The ark of the covenant w/ it’s mercy seat and cherubim that faced each other was all overlaid w/ gold as also were the table of showbread and lampstand.

Gold speaks of royalty, abundance and worth.

The true value and worth of gold is in its purity.

It is the greatest of all minerals.

When Nebuchadnezzar saw his vision; the first and greatest of the kingdoms was his own Babylonian kingdom represented by the head of gold.

In the interpretation of that dream Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar:

Daniel 2:37–38 NASB95

“You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory; and wherever the sons of men dwell, or the beasts of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has given them into your hand and has caused you to rule over them all. You are the head of gold.

Daniel 2

Daniel 2:37 NASB95

“You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength and the glory;

Nebuchadnezzar was the greatest earthly king, but Jesus had not come yet.

1 Tim

1 Timothy 6:15 NASB95

which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

Rev

Revelation 17:14 NASB95

“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.”

Rev

Revelation 19:16 NASB95

And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

OT types and shadows

In the OT, it was the prophet, the high priest, and the king who were anointed by God.

These three anointed offices were indicative of and types of the person Jesus would be; they were prophetic.

They were prophetic

We share in that anointing!!

A — a prophet speaks for God and we are to speak His word to others, especially the lost as His representatives. A prophet in the truest sense of the word is God’s representative.

B — we are priests (not high priests for there is only one) and as such are to worship God and interceded for those who do not as mediators.

REv

Revelation 1:6 NASB95

and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:5 NASB95

you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

C — Jesus is the only king and truly is the king of kings, but we shall rule and reign w/ Him.

2 Timothy 2:12 NASB95

If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;

1 Timothy 2:12 NASB95

But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.

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