Heidi Norton
The story of the nativity is a well-known one, with the birth of Jesus being visited by wise men from the east, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The Bible's account of the royal visit has been embellished over time, with details such as the names and number of visitors being filled in by history and tradition. However, the list of gifts presented to Jesus has largely remained unchanged. The significance of these gifts lies in their great value, symbolic of a king, and their connection to Jesus' life and ministry. Gold symbolises royalty and divinity, acknowledging Jesus' right to rule. Frankincense, a fragrant gum resin, was used in worship and symbolised holiness and righteousness. Myrrh, a fragrant spice, was used in embalming and symbolised bitterness, suffering, and affliction, foreshadowing Jesus' death. These gifts may have also helped finance Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' escape to Egypt.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gold | Signifies Jesus' Kingship and Divinity |
| Frankincense | Symbolises Holiness and Righteousness |
| Myrrh | Foreshadows Jesus' Death and Suffering |
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What You'll Learn
- The gold acknowledged Jesus' right to rule
- The frankincense was symbolic of holiness and Jesus' willingness to become a sacrifice
- The myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial
- The gifts were fit for a king
- The gifts may have helped Jesus' family escape to Egypt
The gold acknowledged Jesus' right to rule
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought by the three wise men as gifts for baby Jesus are well-known symbols of the Christian faith. The gold, in particular, has been interpreted as a symbol of Jesus' kingship and acknowledgement of his right to rule.
Gold is a precious metal that has long been associated with royalty and wealth. In the context of Jesus' birth, the gold brought by the wise men can be seen as a recognition of his status as King of the Jews. This interpretation is supported by the Bible verse Isaiah 60:6, which describes the wealth of the nations coming to God's people through Christ.
The gold also serves as a reminder that Jesus' kingdom is not of this world. While earthly kings may be associated with gold and other material riches, Jesus' kingdom is spiritual in nature. The gold, therefore, can be seen as a symbol of the spiritual wealth that Jesus offers to his followers.
Furthermore, the gold can be seen as a practical gift, providing financial support for Jesus' family during their flight to Egypt. After the wise men departed, an angel of the Lord warned Joseph of Herod's rage and instructed him to take Mary and Jesus to refuge in Egypt. The valuable gifts received from the wise men likely financed this journey, which would have been difficult for a family of humble means.
The gold, along with the frankincense and myrrh, also holds symbolic significance. These gifts may have been chosen by the wise men to symbolize their understanding of Jesus' nature and mission. The gold, in addition to acknowledging Jesus' royalty, may also have foreshadowed the sacrifice of atonement he would make on behalf of his people, similar to the use of gold in the Most Holy Place of the Temple.
In conclusion, the gold brought by the wise men to baby Jesus serves as a powerful symbol of Jesus' kingship and spiritual rule. It acknowledges his status as King of the Jews and the spiritual wealth he offers to his followers. The gold also provides a practical financial support for Jesus' family during their escape to Egypt, ensuring their safety during a perilous time.
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The frankincense was symbolic of holiness and Jesus' willingness to become a sacrifice
The story of the three wise men bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus is a well-known one. The gifts were presented as tokens of worship and carried symbolic significance in relation to Jesus's life and ministry.
Frankincense, a gum resin with a strong and beautiful aroma when burned, was a key ingredient in the holy incense burned in the Tabernacle and Temple. It was symbolic of holiness and purity, and only this specific incense was permitted at the altar. This can be compared to Jesus's life as a pure and holy offering to the Lord. The gift of frankincense was also an acknowledgement of Jesus's divinity and his role as the great High Priest, the ultimate mediator between humanity and God.
The frankincense, therefore, symbolised Jesus's willingness to become a sacrifice. Through Jesus, humanity would have direct access to God, and he would offer himself as the perfect sacrifice, a holy offering to the Lord.
The gold and myrrh also had symbolic value. Gold, a precious metal, was symbolic of Jesus's kingship and divinity. Myrrh, a fragrant spice or resin, was used in anointing oils and in the preparation of bodies for burial. It symbolised Jesus's humanity, his forthcoming suffering and death, and his ultimate purpose to bring about the salvation of humanity.
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The myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to baby Jesus by the three wise men are well-known from nativity sets and carols. The significance of these gifts lies in their great value, indicating that they were indeed gifts fit for a king. The gold signified His Kingship, the frankincense denoted His Deity, and the myrrh foreshadowed His death.
The myrrh, in particular, was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial in ancient times. Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. It is also known as a gum-resin extracted from small, thorny tree species of the Commiphora genus, belonging to the Burseraceae family. In the ancient world, myrrh had a wide range of uses, including as a perfume, anointing oil, and medicinal tonic.
The Bible mentions myrrh in several passages, highlighting its significance in biblical times. For example, in Exodus 30, myrrh is listed as an ingredient in the "oil of holy anointment" (Exodus 30:23). Additionally, myrrh is mentioned as a rare perfume in Genesis 37:25 and as an ingredient in the consecrated incense used in the First and Second Temples at Jerusalem in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud.
In the context of Jesus' death and burial, myrrh played a crucial role. According to John 19:39-40, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds, to anoint and prepare Jesus' body for burial, following the Jewish burial custom. The use of myrrh in this instance served as an embalming substance, preserving the body and providing a pleasant fragrance.
The disciples' actions of anointing Jesus' body with spices and their subsequent proclamation of His resurrection are seen as indirect evidence of the credibility of the resurrection event. The boldness of their confession turned their despair into a dynamic confession of the Christian faith.
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The gifts were fit for a king
The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh presented to baby Jesus by the three wise men were indeed fit for a king. In fact, the Bible mentions that the wise men travelled from the East in search of the "King of the Jews". The gifts they bore were symbolic of the Christ child's willingness to become a sacrifice, wholly giving Himself up, analogous to a burnt offering.
Gold is a precious metal and a valuable commodity. It is also a symbol of divinity and royalty. The presentation of gold to Jesus acknowledged his right to rule. The Bible mentions that the Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with gold.
Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin that is still widely used in parts of the Middle East and Africa. It is produced by scraping the bark of certain native species of trees and then harvesting the beads of resin after they have dried. When burned as incense, it creates a strong and beautiful aroma. It was a key part of the sacrificial system prescribed by God for use in the Tabernacle and, later, in the Temple itself.
Myrrh is a fragrant spice derived from the sap of a tree native to the Near East. It is also a product of Arabia and was obtained from a tree in the same manner as frankincense. It was used as incense, perfume, and anointing oil. It was also sometimes mixed with wine to form a medicinal tonic. Notably, myrrh was a key ingredient in the mixture of spices used to prepare bodies for burial.
The wealth of these gifts was likely used to help the Holy Family escape to Egypt.
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The gifts may have helped Jesus' family escape to Egypt
The Bible does not explicitly state what happened to the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh that the three wise men gave to baby Jesus. However, it is speculated that these gifts were used to finance Jesus' family's escape to and stay in Egypt.
The gifts were extremely valuable, and gold and costly spices like frankincense and myrrh were reserved for high-ranking figures such as royalty. Myrrh, in particular, is believed to have been more valuable than gold at the time. The gold, frankincense, and myrrh could have been sold or traded for supplies, accommodations, and living expenses during their stay in Egypt.
After the wise men visited Jesus, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and warned him that Herod would search for Jesus to kill him. Joseph was instructed to take Jesus and his mother to Egypt, which was outside Herod's dominion, and stay there until it was safe. Egypt was a logical place to seek refuge as it was part of the Roman Empire, making travel between Judea and Egypt easy and relatively safe.
The wealth brought by the wise men likely helped Jesus' family, who were of humble means, undertake the journey to Egypt and sustain themselves while they were there. This interpretation aligns with the idea that the gifts were meant to represent Jesus' kingship and deity and provide financial aid to his family.
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Frequently asked questions
Gold symbolises royalty and acknowledged Jesus' right to rule. Incense was used in temple worship and was mixed with the oil used to anoint the priests of Israel. Myrrh, a spice used for embalming, symbolises bitterness, suffering, and affliction.
The gold, frankincense, and myrrh were gifts fit for a king and were presented in an act of worship. The wise men may have also had in mind the connection between these gifts and the incarnation of Jesus, who offered a sacrifice of atonement for his people.
The gold signified Jesus' kingship, the frankincense denoted his deity, and the myrrh foreshadowed his death.
The three gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus were gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The three gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh were brought to Jesus by the wise men, who travelled from the east in search of the Christ child.
