PASTORAL MESSAGE: What Do the Gifts From the Wise Men Represent?

By Pastor George Mather

Prince of Peace Lutheran Church

To help better understand, this story, please read the visit of the Magi (Wise Men) in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter two. Here you will note that the Wise Men gave the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Everyone knows what gold is, but what are frankincense and myrrh?

Frankincense and myrrh are plants that produce a fragrant sap that releases a very strong and sweet aroma. Historically, both were used in anointing oils, ointments, and perfumes. Frankincense was also used for incense, burned to make a smoke with a strong smell. Myrrh was also used as a deodorant in preparing dead bodies for burial. Today, healing oils can still be purchased containing these fragrances.

The truth is that while reading the story about these gifts of the Wise Men, you will find nothing in the Bible suggesting that the three gifts symbolized anything in particular.

However, the Bible often does represent the ministry of Jesus by one of three anointed ministers found in the Old Testament: The “Prophet” announcing God’s Word, the “Priest” offering sacrifice and prayer for the people, and finally the “King.” What an interesting “coincidence” that the three gifts of the Magi are associated with two of those three ministries.

First, gold is for a King; and a lesser ruler pays tribute (taxes) to greater kings. This is why the Wise Men gave their tribute to Jesus who is “the King.”

Second, Priests burn incense during prayers and worship. The smoke of the incense represents the prayers of God’s people rising up to God. Jesus is our High Priest who prayed for us from the cross: “Father, forgive them…” The Bible states that even now Jesus prays for us in heaven (Romans 8:34). In addition, the Wise Men burned incense for Jesus while they worshipped Him, which tells us that they recognized His deity or that he is God.

Lastly, Priests always offered animal sacrifices on behalf of the people. But Jesus as our High Priest offered the sacrifice of His own human body on the cross for us. We note that myrrh was used to prepare His body for burial in the tomb (John 19:39).

The story about the Wise Men has a heartbreaking ending. Mary and Joseph, with Jesus, escaped to Egypt, because King Herod tried to kill Him in the slaughter of the young boys of Bethlehem. It would appear that the gifts from the Wise Men may have provided Mary and Joseph the extra money needed for that trip.

George Mather is Pastor of Price of Peace Lutheran Church located at 190 E. Mesquite Blvd., Suites B & C, in Mesquite. YOU are cordially invited to attend our Christmas Eve Worship Service at 7:00 PM on Friday, December 24. Our Christmas Day Festival Service will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, December 25, and our regular Sunday Worship will be held at 10:30 AM on December 26.