Isaiah foresaw the day that nations would come to worship the one true God; when herds of camels would cover the land; whenever people from Sheba would come bringing gold and incense. He prophesied of the day when eastern wise men, Persian astrologers or Magi, would come to Israel seeking the Christ who was born in Bethlehem. Isaiah foresaw the day when those who once worshipped the stars would be led by a star to bow down and worship the Light of the World. Let’s take a brief look at the Magi and the gifts they presented to the newborn Savior.
The first item is the Gold, which represents Jesus’ kingship and His kingdom. Jesus was prophesied as the coming King in Isaiah 9:6-7, for we read this: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” Jesus was described by the prophet Isaiah as a “Prince” having a “kingdom.”
This kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, revealing that Jesus is Lord of heaven (the kingdom of heaven); therefore, possessing divinity and having all power. He has the power to grant life and take it away (Mt 25:31-34, 41), and the power to lay down His own life (1 Jn 3:16) so that we might live by believing in Him (Jn 3:16). Jesus, who was God made flesh (Jn 1:1, 14), was holy; thereby, becoming the perfect and innocent Lamb of God to take away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29) by dying on the cross to pay the price for our sins. Jesus was King of Kings (Rv 19:16) having all power and authority, and yet He humbled Himself on our behalf (Jn 13:3-5), and died so that we might live!
Now let’s look at the Frankincense, which was a type of incense. “Frankincense was an odorous resin imported from Arabia, yet also grown in Palestine. It was one of the ingredients in the perfume of the sanctuary, and was used as an accompaniment to the meat-offering. When burnt it emitted a fragrant odor, and hence the incense became a symbol of the divine name and an emblem of prayer” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary). The Magi’s incense told of Jesus’ divinity, for burning incense was regarded as an act of worship to Almighty God. Therefore, this little child, sitting in the lap of His mother, was worshipped as Lord of Lord’s (Rv 19:16).
The incense tells of His sacrifice, since incense was used in the temple sacrifices. Ephesians 5:2 says, “Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Isaiah 53:5-7 contains a prophecy of Jesus, and we read this: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed . . . He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth” (vv. 5, 7). Jesus became the perfect sacrificial lamb to be slain and sacrificed on our behalf, and for our sin. This occurred as He died on the cross. Jesus’ willingness to lay down His own life arose unto God as sweet smelling incense.
Now let’s look at the Myrrh. “This was the gum or viscid white liquid which flows from a tree resembling the acacia, found in Africa and Arabia” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary). Myrrh was sometimes offered to prisoners being executed on the cross; and in Mark 15:23, it was offered to Jesus, though He did not partake of it. Therefore, myrrh can symbolize the crucifixion that Jesus would endure on our behalf.
Myrrh was also used for embalming (Smith’s Bible Dictionary). In Mark 15:43, we read that Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body, and in verse 46 we read, “Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.” In the next chapter, Mark 16:1 states, “Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.” Among these spices was myrrh. The myrrh tells of Jesus’ suffering, His death, and His burial.
It’s important for us to realize that Jesus didn’t just die and remain buried, along with all the great prophets before Him. Jesus was more than some ordinary prophet. He was, and is, and always will be prophet, priest, and King! If He had just remained in the ground, that would not have proven anything except defeat. The Scripture delivers the good news that Jesus rose from the grave (Mk 16:6)! The Bible tells us “the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23); but Jesus was victorious over death and sin when He arose! And we will be too, if we will just believe in Him and confess Him as Lord (Rom 10:9-10). Remember, “The myrrh represents Jesus’ death and burial.” But, we are also reminded of how Jesus overcame death and the grave through His resurrection!
A great treasure has been presented to us. The King of heaven, God’s one and only Son gave His life for us (John 3:16) – The Gold. This King became the sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sin (Romans 6:23) as He died on the cross – The Frankincense. And He was buried in a tomb taking all our sins with Him, and He overcame the tomb when He rose from the grave, granting us victory over sin (1 Corinthians 15:54-56) – The Myrrh. This great treasure leads to salvation from our sins and to eternal life in God’s kingdom; that is, if we will receive it (Him) into our heart and life.