Let's Talk: Christmas Traditions
Jesus: King, Priest, and Sacrifice
“And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11).
The gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men from the East were standard gifts to honor a king in the ancient world. Many biblical scholars suggest that the gold—Earth’s most precious metal—recognized Jesus as King of kings, frankincense—an aromatic resin—symbolized His priestly role, and myrrh—a costly fragrant oil—prefigured His death and embalming.
Gold: The gold was certainly a prophetic gift. Even Pilate, in sanctioning Jesus’ death, recognized Jesus as King of the Jews in John 19:1, 2 and 19-22. Revelation states that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
Frankincense: In Exodus 30:34-38, Moses was told to make a fragrant blend of spices (including frankincense) to be placed in front of the Ark of the Covenant. God tells him of this offering, “You shall not make any for yourselves, according to its composition. It shall be to you holy for the LORD.” As the One we follow through this life, Jesus is our Ark of the Covenant and the only priest we will ever need.
Myrrh: Just before Jesus was arrested, Matthew 26:6-13 told the story of a woman breaking an alabaster jar and pouring a costly oil on Jesus, who said of her, “in pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.” This act brought the symbolism of the gift of costly oil from the Magi full circle from the time after the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem to the time before His death at Calvary.
