When Jesus was born, the story tells that the wise men went to the baby and presented him with some objects.
Have you ever wondered about the meanings of each gift given by them?
“On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Matthew 2:11
The gold
This gift represented and reaffirmed the royalty of Jesus.
“The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty. The Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength. Indeed, the world is established, firm and secure. Your throne was established long ago. You are from all eternity”.
Psalms 93:1,2
The boy was born in a manger, surrounded by animals and hay. But he was still the Son of the King of Kings. Jesus was King right there in Mary’s lap and King in every heart that recognized Him as Lord. He just wasn’t a king who would reign in a palace.
As stated in Philippians 2:6, He was God Himself in human form but, even though He was the greatest in the world, He did not attach to titles, but came to earth to fulfill His purpose and to make the name of Jesus ever more alive in hearts. Your father.
Incense
This object was formerly only offered to deities, so that sacrifices and delivery would rise with a smooth aroma.
“The priest is to take a handful of the finest flour and some olive oil, together with all the incense on the grain offering, and burn the memorial portion on the altar as an aroma pleasing to the Lord“.
Leviticus 6:15
Delivering this gift also meant recognizing God himself in that Baby. Understanding that even if fragile and small, He carried in Himself a promise greater than the world, along with the greatness and strength of the Creator.
So they would also be wishing that all praise would rise with a sweet aroma to the Father.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anesthetic characteristics, among a number of other benefits.
This plant was also used to prepare bodies for burial.
Giving Jesus myrrh meant acknowledging that, even though He was God, He was also truly and frailly human in His external form.
“The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”.
John 1:14
It was necessary for him to come as a man, live, suffer and die as a man, so that every good work could be accomplished: the greatness of God’s love becoming flesh for us.
Seek
The journey of the wise men to Jesus represents how we must walk towards the Son so that it is possible to find God. And at this meeting, deliver the best we have in our treasures.
The kings did not sell those objects to the boy’s family. They donated their time and went to the Messiah to pour out their treasures at His feet.
This story shows us the greatness of Jesus, the quest that needs to come from us, the humanity of God and a heart of generosity.
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