I’m sure it’s safe to say we all love receiving gifts, whether a fancy treat or a simple handmade treasure from a loved one. My children have gifted me many creative presents. But then some of us even love giving gifts to others, especially at Christmas. Something is warming to the heart about doing so.
Myths of the Magi
The Magi, more commonly known as the wise men, sought out Jesus after his birth to bring him gifts. There are a few widely held myths about these men that I feel we should debunk before we go any further. Firstly, it is thought there were three Magi; however, scripture does not tell us this. Three gifts generated this number, but there could have been two or 100. There may well even have been three; it is impossible to know.
The second myth is that they followed a star, but scripture does not say this either. Simply, in Matthew, verse 2 says:
“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
These men were astrologers who likely dealt in magic, saw a star, and decided to follow it, believing this astronomical sign would show them the new Jewish king.
Thirdly, it is thought these men were kings from Persia, Africa, and India; however, scripture does not confirm this thinking. It reads they came from the east (Matt 2:1) but does not specify a location. These countries were added to the idea after the fact. However, likely due to the direction they came from and the gifts they brought, they were probably traveling from the Arabian kingdom of Sheba. There is no mention in scripture of them being kings, but they obviously held positions with weight for Herod to agree to see them. Some even think these men were Jewish, but given they came from afar, likely they were Gentile.
Lastly, it is thought these men visited Jesus while he was still a baby. However, that is less likely to be true. These men saw a star and then traveled, likely on horseback, to visit this king. The Gospel of Matthew recorded Herod's rule that all the boys under two were to be killed, which tells us it took the Magi over a year to reach Bethlehem. Jesus was likely toddling around as a small 1—or 2-year-old boy by the time they visited.
What Gifts Did the Magi Bring to Jesus?
The Wise Men brought three gifts: frankincense, gold, and myrrh. Whether they realized it or not, these gifts carried specific meanings that would speak to who Jesus would be in his adult life. These were the gifts given to royalty or used in the temple by the priesthood. While they were collectively special, they also each held specific meanings.
The gift of gold was a purified gold which had been heated and reheated to take out impurities and scum. This would have been the purest gold. Giving this to Jesus represented Jesus’ kingship.
Frankincense is a resin still used in many parts of the world. It is obtained by scrapping the bark of certain native trees and is, once dried, burned. Frankincense was traditionally burned in the temple as an offering to God (Leviticus 2:2). This gift affirmed Jesus as both God and man; it recognized his humanity but honored Jesus' deity as God. Exodus 30 talks about pure frankincense in verse thirty-four and how it was to be consecrated as pure and holy. Yet we also know that Jesus’ life was also a pure and holy offering to God so that we could see the forgiveness of sins. This is an interesting parallel or connection to me.
Lastly, myrrh is a fragrant spice from trees, not the bark like frankincense but the sap. It is used for many things, including perfume, oil, and medicine, but it is also commonly used to prepare bodies for burial, and that was no different in the Jewish culture 2000 years ago. Again, there is a direct Old Testament and temple connection here, as Exodus 30 tells us myrrh was used as a main ingredient in the anointing oil used in the temple, at the altar, and to prepare the priests and their instruments. It is not a coincidence that Jesus lived a pure and holy life, and these gifts sent a nod in the same direction. Likely, it was brought as a foreshadowing of Jesus' death on the cross and burial. John, Chapter 19, shows a moment when Nicodemus brought myrrh for Jesus' burial.
These were costly gifts, and despite all our best efforts, no one has been able to put a price tag on them. But it would be safe to say they are probably some of the most expensive new baby gifts known to humanity.
Why Did the Magi Visit Jesus?
The visit of these Magi was similar to that of the Shepherds; I believe they came to worship a new King and build alliances only to realize who He really was. Jesus, including the Magi in His birth story, shows again that the Gentiles were welcomed. This is another sign that Jesus welcomes all.
Jesus did not come to save only the Israelites, but rather He came to seek and serve, to die for humanity, gentile or Jew. Jesus is a come one, come all savior who will welcome anyone who chooses to put their hope in Him. The call of Abraham puts it best: Genesis 12 reads, “and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” I believe Jesus did not come only to die and rise again, but there was more to his mission and life. I think this verse reveals the Father's true intention, that the Israelites, His chosen people, would be a lighthouse to others and show them how amazing God is. Yet they became hoarders of God's generosity and didn’t reach out to others. Even from Jesus' first breaths in a human body, He is welcoming the outcast, welcoming the foreigner, and saying come and worship, come and have a relationship.
The Magi show us just one last thing I believe is worth noting. In the article of the shepherds, we said how Jesus welcomes the outcast to worship Him. But it is not just the outcast Jesus welcomes, but also the rich or elite. It matters not what prominent position you hold, know today that everyone worships something, we must choose what that is. Romans 14:11 tells us,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will confess to God.”
Friend, one way or another, everyone will one day see Jesus for the majestic son of God He is. But when you do, just like the Magi, you will have a choice to make: follow Him or walk away. In the Magi’s case, they were given the option to give Jesus up to Herod for him to kill or protect Jesus and go another way home. They chose to protect Jesus and go another way home.
I suppose the question we must ask ourselves is, what will we do with our knowledge of Jesus? Will we worship Him this Christmas or make it all about other things?
Photo Credit: SWN Design
