“May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him. May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts. May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.” (Psalm 72:10-11)

When the Magi saw the star, they began a journey to find a king. When they came to Jerusalem they asked the question, “where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We have seen his star in the east and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:4-5) Maji were men who were considered wise men. They were also mystics and magicians who sought to read the signs in the world and beyond to know the future. They had learned of a star which would appear when the new King of the Jews was born. There is much we do not know about the hows and whys they knew, but as a result they had now come to worship the new born King.

In a desire for the perfect King, the foundational thought for a Messiah, the Psalmist would say “all kings bow down before Him and all nations serve him.” (Psalm 72:11) This is how Paul describes Jesus, “God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light.” (1 Timothy 6:15-16)

When the star led the Magi to the Jesus’ home, they came in to worship Him. “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 gifts were expensive and suited to be given to a king. An example would be when the Queen of Sheba came to Solomon to test his wisdom, she brought, “camels carrying spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones.” (1 Kings 10:2) Now as the Magi brought gifts to the Christ Child, they were bringing gifts for the King.

The gifts can also be reminders for us of what Jesus came to bring to us. The gold reminds us that He is the King. It also reminds us of the fulfillment of the promise to David that one will always be on his throne. “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16) Also given to Mary when she was told she would have a child. “He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:32-33) And is fulfilled, “throne of God and of the Lamb.” (Revelation 22:1)

Frankincense was used in the incense on the Altar of Incense, which stood before the curtain of the Holy of Holies in the Holy Place. “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the ark of the covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you. Do not make any incense with this formula for yourselves; consider it holy to the LORD.’” (Exodus 30:34-37)  The frankincense is a reminder of the divinity of Jesus, He is God in the flesh.

Myrrh was used when bodies were placed in their tombs. It was what would be used by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus when they placed Jesus in His tomb after the crucifixion. “Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (John 19:39-40) Myrrh reminds us of the sacrifice of Jesus which He did because of our sins.

When the Magi came to worship, they came to worship the Divine King. This Divine King would sacrifice Himself in order for those who would come to Him by faith could be a part of His Eternal Kingdom. This Divine King took on death and overcame by His own resurrection. Now because of what He has done we can come to worship Him.

In the Love of Jesus,

Michael Block