Why did the wise men bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus? We know from Matthew 2:11 that Jesus was visited by wise men who followed a star to the place where Jesus was born. We’re told from the nativity story that upon seeing Jesus with his mother, Mary, they bowed down and worshipped him and presented him with offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 

Although the story filled me with enchantment as a child, I first heard of the story before the Young Living and Doterra days, before liquid amber bottles of frankincense and myrrh adorned medicine cabinets nationwide. So to me, frankincense and myrrh held little significance. And even now with frankincense and myrrh becoming household names that easily roll of the tongue, we can still be very confused about the significance. So, why did the wise men bring Jesus gold, frankincense, and myrrh?

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Frankincense?

Frankincense was used in in ritual ceremonies in ancient times. It represents Jesus’ priestly role in our lives that the author of Hebrews talk about. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Takeaway for us: We have access to our Great High Priest through Christ, and unlike the priests of old, Jesus suffered greatly yet is without sin. As Henry Nouwen says, “No one can save us except for a suffering God.”

 

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Gold?

Gold is a gift that represents Jesus’ honor as a king on earth and inaugurating the Kingdom of Christ on earth. It should be spectacular to us that the Magi from the east from most likely a faraway pagan location recognized the kingly status of a baby in a humble manger from impoverished parents. Although we may feel the social class disparity in the western world of our day, it was even more pronounced in the first century. 

It would be easy to recognize a messiah who came from wealth and who was the offspring of a king or someone of noble status. And it would be easier to spot a kingly messiah if you were raised in a Jewish home, familiar with the Torah. If you read the Torah, you would have a reference point, knowing of the prophecies concerning Jesus and how he was a descendent of King David.

 

Takeaway for us: We can give thanks to Christ for sacrificing His position on His kingly throne in heaven to become a king without an official title or position. 

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Myrrh?

Myrrh was an expensive fragrance used for burial purposes in the ancient world.  The gift of myrrh was a prophetic representation of one of the main reasons Christ entered this world–to become the final sacrifice for our sins. No longer would we need to slay goats, lamb, and doves to atone for our sin. We have One perfect life who came into this world and whose blood would be enough to atone for the sins of humanity.

 

Takeaway for us: We can have gratitude that Christ sacrificed His life once and for all for those who humble themselves and put their trust in Him.

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Gold?

Gold is a gift that represents Jesus’ honor as a king on earth and inaugurating the Kingdom of Christ on earth. It should be spectacular to us that the Magi from the east from most likely a faraway pagan location recognized the kingly status of a baby in a humble manger from impoverished parents. Although we may feel the social class disparity in the western world of our day, it was even more pronounced in the first century. 

It would be easy to recognize a messiah who came from wealth and who was the offspring of a king or someone of noble status. And it would be easier to spot a kingly messiah if you were raised in a Jewish home, familiar with the Torah. If you read the Torah, you would have a reference point, knowing of the prophecies concerning Jesus and how he was a descendent of King David.

 

Takeaway for us: We can give thanks to Christ for sacrificing His position on His kingly throne in heaven to become a king without an official title or position. 

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Frankincense?

Frankincense was used in in ritual ceremonies in ancient times. It represents Jesus’ priestly role in our lives that the author of Hebrews talk about. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

Takeaway for us: We have access to our Great High Priest through Christ, and unlike the priests of old, Jesus suffered greatly yet is without sin. As Henry Nouwen says, “No one can save us except for a suffering God.”

 

Why Did the Wise Men Bring Jesus Myrrh?

Myrrh was an expensive fragrance used for burial purposes in the ancient world.  The gift of myrrh was a prophetic representation of one of the main reasons Christ entered this world–to become the final sacrifice for our sins. No longer would we need to slay goats, lamb, and doves to atone for our sin. We have One perfect life who came into this world and whose blood would be enough to atone for the sins of humanity.

 

Takeaway for us: We can have gratitude that Christ sacrificed His life once and for all for those who humble themselves and put their trust in Him.

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