Day 6: Worship

Wisemen - Worship

By Brandon Faust

”They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.“ (Matthew‬ ‭2‬:‭11‬ (‭NLT))‬‬

In the nativity scene we often think about the stable, the shepherds, the animals, Mary and Joseph, and of course, baby Jesus. Often associated with the nativity scene are the “wise men” who come bearing gifts. (Although we aren’t exactly sure at what point they arrive, some would argue that Jesus was likely two years old).

The “wise men” of Matthew 2:1-12 came from the East to Jerusalem to find this Messiah. They came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The gold is often thought to represent a gift fit for a king. 1 Kings 6:20-22 reminds us that the wall of the Most Holy Place and of the altar were made of gold.

The gift of frankincense is thought to be a gift of worship. Exodus 30 shows a specific instance in which a unique recipe of spices was mixed with frankincense (Exodus 30:34) to be used as an act of worship and a holy sacrifice unto the Lord.

The gift of myrrh was a spice with strong aromas from a tree sap. In the ancient world this was often used as an anointing oil or fragrant perfume. Oftentimes myrrh was utilized as part of the death and mourning process. The gift is perhaps providing a foreshadowing of how Jesus would die on the cross and fulfill Isaiah 53:5.

The gifts of the Magi give us insight into the greater narrative of the arrival of a King. An acknowledgement through the gift of gold by gentiles who are looking toward a Jewish-born King to provide hope to the world. An act of worship through the gift of frankincense. Once again, gentiles coming to worship a Jewish King, especially a baby, was not common practice.

In the gifts of the Magi, we find a powerful storyline. And the beauty of a humble birth of a baby in a stable in Bethlehem still impacts us today. A reminder that Jesus came once and for all to be the King of all Kings, the only one worthy of our worship and one who was the perfect sacrifice who went before us as the once and for all perfect sacrifice, the Savior to the world.

The Magi traversed a great distance to give their valuable gifts to the Messiah. What might you have of great value in your hands and life that you’ve been holding onto too tightly? How might you loosen your grip to bring it to the feet of the King?