GOLD, FRANKINCENSE, AND MYRRH

Sometime around His first birthday, wise men (number unknown) arrived with gifts at the home of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph (Matt. 2:11). I base that on Herod's reaction to their report as to the time of the star's appearing. Herod's instructions to kill every male child up to the age of two years; he was taking no chances that they would miss in his attempt to kill the Messiah (Matt. 2:16). The gifts consisted of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Although their gift of gold was timely due to the expense of their trip to Egypt (Matt. 2:13-15), I believe God inspired their choices to represent the three aspects of Christ's life: King, Priest, and Savior.

GOLD: Herod saw Jesus as a threat because the travelers called Him "the King of the Jews" (Matt. 2:2). Ironically, Pilate also called Him the same thing (Matt. 27:37). When the Queen of Sheba went to see Solomon, she brought many gifts, but gold was listed first due to it being the most precious (1 Kgs. 10:10; see also 1 Cor. 3:12). Gold was the gift for a king, and it represents the Lord's right to sovereignty.

FRANKINCENSE: This spice represents Him as a Priest after the order of Melchisedek (Gen. 14:18; Ps. 110:4; Heb. 5:6, 10), and it was used to as a perfumed incense in the Tabernacle (Ex. 30:34-38). The use of incense in worship pictures the sweet smell our prayers are to Almighty God (Ps. 141:2; Lk. 1:10; Rev. 8:3-4). This gift foretells of the intercessory ministry of Jesus for His people (Heb. 7:25).

MYRRH: Some have called myrrh "the Balm of Gilead.," but in Genesis 37:25, it is listed separately from balm. Nevertheless, isn't it awesome that the same verse mentions travel to Egypt? God wanted Moses to use myrrh for the oil of anointing (Ex. 30:23-25), and it was used "to purify" women (Est. 2:12). John said that Joseph of Arimathaea used it for the Lord's burial (Jn. 19:39), and it very well might have been the precious ointment which was poured upon Jesus at the house of Simon, the leper (Matt. 26:6-13). It is clear that myrrh was a picture of the death of the Messiah, which was revealing Him to be the Savior.

While Christ's role as King is awesome, and His role as Priest is much needed, it is His role as Savior that is most important of all. It was His reason for coming (Matt. 5:17; Lk. 19:10; Jn. 12:27, 46; 18:37). Unless a person accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, the fact that He is the King and the Priest, will mean nothing. Man can do little more than bring gifts to God's Son out of adoration; His Son came to be The Gift of God to man (Jn. 3:16; 4:10; Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8). While you are giving and receiving gifts this CHRISTmas, respond to God's gift to you by giving yourself to Him. Be the most precious of gifts to Jesus!