Matthew 2:11

“And going into the house they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.”

 Since the third or fourth century the church, as it prepares for the advent of Christ, has celebrated this event by singing hymns and reading Scripture. The Gospel of Matthew breaks the four hundred years of the silence of God since the Prophet Malachi wrote of the coming of Messiah. Matthew’s gospel is Jewish in nature, with his goal of helping his people recognize and embrace Jesus as their long-expected Savior. Matthew demonstrates that Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promises made to Israel in the Old Testament. God declared to Abraham that salvation was intended for the whole world, yet Jesus said that He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel. (Matthew 15:24) Salvation for the world began with the Jews.

A.W. Pink said that the first verse of Matthew, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham” is the key that unlocks the contents of the gospel. He further said that this first verse of the New Testament parallels Genesis 5:1, “This is the book of the generations of Adam.” Pink said, “These two books, the book of the generations of Adam and the book of the generations of Jesus Christ, might as well be termed the book of death and the book of life.” In the book of life, we see new people being brought into God’s family – gentiles. Matthew focuses on bringing the gospel to the Jews, but because of their rejection of Jesus, God grafts gentiles into His family tree. Paul points out in Romans 15:8-9 that the Old Testament makes clear that God’s promises to the patriarchs has always included gentiles.

Chapter One of Matthew ends with the birth of Jesus and Chapter Two begins approximately two years later when wisemen from the east came to visit the child born King of the Jews. In Chapter Two we see a cosmic collision between law and grace. When the door of the home was opened to the wisemen, Mary or whoever opened the door, would see these noble men. By their clothing and demeanor, they would be recognized as wisemen, or Magi, from the east. We do not know how many wisemen there were but it was probably a large entourage of Magi, leaders, servants and soldiers providing security. The entourage was so large that it not only caught the attention of Herod, but it also troubled him. Certainly, all Judea was aware of this large group of men.

These wisemen were possibly semite gentiles from Arabia, for frankincense and myrrh come from that part of the world. Also church fathers and Isaiah 60:6 say that these men came from the east. This entourage had traveled perhaps a thousand miles to reach the home where Jesus was found. Some people have regarded these wisemen as king. They weren’t kings but they were often counselors to kings. The Magi first appear in the seventh century B.C. as a tribe in the Midian Nation of Eastern Mesopotamia. It is thought that they were of the priestly line of the semites; this is suggested by the various colors and patterns of their clothing. These wisemen were knowledgeable in the occult, science, mathematics, agriculture, history, the celestial heavens, astrology, etc. These men were well educated and well known. These wisemen were so influential in religion and politics that, it is said, that no Persian king was installed in office without their approval and crowning.

Mary knew who her Son was but it would have been startling to have such a distinguished group of men appear at her door. These men brought very practical gifts, but these gifts also had much spiritual symbolism that spoke to grand truths that God has revealed in Scripture. These gifts should serve as mental anchors in our mind that help us to Prepare Him Room. As we get ready for Christmas, we must prepare Him room. Prepare Him Room is one of the phrases in Isaac Watts’ carol, Joy to the World, probably motivated by John the Baptist’s call to prepare a way for Jesus. We should prepare Him room in our hearts all year long. How to do this is alluded to in Matthew 2:11 and in the gifts themselves.

1. Approach Christ as King

• The Magi’s Gift of Gold

The first way we approach the holiday season, preparing Him room, is to approach Christ as King. The first gift listed that the wisemen brought is gold. Gold is valuable, hard to find, and is a gift often brought to kings. First Kings 10:2 says that when the queen of Sheba visited Solomon to honor him, she brought very much gold, along with spices and precious stones. The wisemen bringing gold to Jesus, shows that they recognized Him as the prophesied King of the Jews.

• Deliberate Intentionality

The wisemen had prepared extensively to meet the King, and we need to examine ourselves to see how we have prepared to meet someone of royalty, the King of kings, this holiday season. Is it a rushed, distracted, nonchalant, haphazard, rushing here and there, or is there a deliberate intentionality behind our preparation? The presentation of the gift of gold is the key to how we are to celebrate the birth of our Lord. The wisemen demonstrated deliberate intentionality when they sought out the home, when they came to the home, and they went into the home with the intention of bringing gifts to the King.

Deliberate intentionality takes preparation. The journey of the wisemen to visit Jesus began five or six hundred earlier. In the sixth century B.C. during the Babylonian captivity, Daniel was appointed chief of the wisemen (Daniel 2:48). God used Daniel to teach the other wisemen about the coming Messiah. The wisemen passed down the prophecy from generation to generation. Being astrologers, they studied the movement of the heavenly bodies for hundreds of years until they “saw his star” (Matthew 2:2), the star pointing them to the home where Jesus lived. Also, during this extended time of preparation, they would have been studying prophecy and the Hebrew Scriptures; they would have gathered the clothing and the gifts and all the other necessities for the journey. The journey to Judea was not made in haste when they just happened to see the star. No, they were well prepared, for they had spent much time in preparation.

Not only had the wisemen spent much time in preparation for this pinnacle moment, but God had prepared for this moment from eternity past, as He controls all the events of human history. God’s preparation included constriction of the temple, the priesthood, the sacrificial system, the Law, the chorography of heavens and the star, so that the world would be ready to receive its King. God’s preparation continues in that Jesus is currently preparing a place for believers (John 14:2). Jesus is interceding for us, He is ruling, He is gathering His bride, He is securing the victory – all these things in preparation for us to stand before Him. Given all the preparation by God and the wisemen, it is fitting that we prepare to commemorate the advent of the Savior of the world, and studying Scripture is a key component of our preparation.

Failing to prepare can cause us to lose the joy that should surround this day. Matthew 2:10 tells us that the wisemen rejoiced exceedingly when they saw the star come to rest, revealing the house of the King. Proverbs 21:5 links planning and joy in that the plans of the diligent lead to abundance. Joy is connected to preparation as seen in the parable of the five wise virgins who brought extra oil as they waited for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13) and the servants who used their talents wisely to profit their master (Matthew 25:14-30). Likewise, there is greater joy in any event in which we participate if adequate preparations have been made. God is honored when we plan for the advent of His Son at Christmas.

• Reverent Submission

Not only does approaching Christ as King necessitate preparation, it also necessitates recognizing His authority. The gift of gold brings this to our attention, for it symbolizes their reverent honor of and submission to Christ. The Bible also reveals how we are to approach royalty. For example, before Esther approached King Ahasuerus to plead for the protection of the Jewish people, she made extensive plans that included prayer and fasting. Then, knowing that she would die if the king failed to hold out his golden scepter, she approached the king with humility reverencing his authority. Similarly, when Nehemiah approached King Artaxerxes, requesting to be allowed to return to rebuild Judah, he came in fear and with great humility and respect for the king. If these examples describe how we should approach earthly kings, with how much greater respect should we approach the King of kings?

• Your Gold

Philippians 2:10-11 says, “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” The wisemen brought gold symbolizing their submission to King Jesus. What is the gold that we bring to Jesus as we celebrate His birthday on Christmas day? We should bring the creation of space in our lives for reflection on His incarnation, and our reverent submission to His rule as our King.

II. Draw Near to Christ as Priest

• The Magi’s Gift of Frankincense

Frankincense, used by priests in the temple offering, represented prayers sent up to the Father. The incense symbolized holiness, righteousness, purity – all the things necessary for the priest to enter the temple and offer sacrifices. The gift of frankincense recognized Christ as Priest, the Great High Priest. Hebrews 7:25-27 tell us much about this High Priest: “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. 26 For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.27 He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.” Since Christ was born of a virgin, He did not receive Adam’s sin nature, and the sacrifice of Himself put an end to the Jewish sacrificial system.

• Christ as Our High Priest

Jesus is the final High Priest and the “one mediator between God and men” (1 Timothy 2:5). Frankincense highlights Christ’s role as High Priest. One cannot help but be amazed at the incarnation of God in Christ, a helpless baby who would one day grow up to be our High Priest and intercessor before God, the Father. Unlike the flawed priests of the Old Testament, Christ’s priesthood is eternal and perfect, fulfilling all the requirements of reconciliation. Hebrews 9:26 says, “But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.”

• A Christmas Fellowship

Ephesians 2:13 explains that we who were once far from God have been brough near by the blood of Christ. This means that we are in fellowship or in agreement with God. Before we were saved, we were in disagreement with God – in sin, separated from Him. After being saved we are brought into agreement or harmony with God, and we are able to draw near to Him. Written to believers, James 4:8 says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James is telling us to confess our sins before attempting to draw near to God. Cleansing of hands reminds us of the Levitical system where the priest would ceremonially wash his hands before offering a sacrifice, indicating that their hands were ready to serve God.

Psalm 24:3-4 asks and answers the rhetorical question “Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?” The answer is “He who has clean hands and a pure heart.” First John 1:9 tells how we achieve clean hands and a pure heart: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If we walk in sin, we break fellowship with God. We are to guard against everything that would make us impure. Our heart must not be double-minded, wavering between God and the world, for no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Fellowship with God is the frankincense that we bring to God this holiday season.

III. Rest in His Sacrifice

• The Magi’s Gift of Myrrh

Christ was born to bring reconciliation with God. Reconciliation with God is by double imputation, our sin imputed to Christ and His righteousness imputed to us (2 Corinthians 5:21). Then we can stand justified before God and set apart for Him. This is why Christ came and why we celebrate the holiday season. God, in His divine providence, worked in the hearts of the wisemen to bring myrrh as a gift before God. The primary use of myrrh in the ancient world was used for embalming the dead. John 19:38-39 tells us that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint the body of Jesus as it lay in the tomb. Perhaps the wisemen had read Isaiah’s prophecy regarding the Messiah’s death and this is the reason they brought myrrh.

• The Gift of Christ

Myrrh was also valued as an antiseptic. Mark 15:23 tells us that Jesus was offered a mixture of wine and myrrh while on the cross, but He refused it because He needed to experience the full force of God’s wrath and punishment for us. This gift from the Magi represents sorrow and suffering and, also, redemption, the gift of Christ to us. The Magi foresaw the entire life of Christ, and the Christ-child also foresaw their entire lives. All the lives of the Magi and our own lives are before Christ in the form of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. All that we understand about the world is seen in these gifts.

• Worship from a Point of Rest

Myrrh symbolizes rest and we worship the Lord from a point of rest. The Hebrew word for rest is shabat, and it carries the idea of purposefully ceasing from work. God purposefully ceased from His work on day seven of creation and He wants us to understand that He has done everything we need, and there is nothing we have to strive for. Deuteronomy 5:15 says, “You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore the Lord your God commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.” Before we come to faith in Jesus, our souls are not at rest, for we know we are sinners and subject to God’s wrath. Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30) 

When we worship, we do so from a place of rest, resting in God and what He has done. When we come to corporate worship and sing songs and hymns and spiritual songs and study the word together, we remind ourselves that we need to rest. Because of the curse on the ground and our waywardness, we strive throughout the week, and we think that much of what we accomplish is by our own effort. When we participate in the Lord’s Supper each week it symbolizes the rest that we have in Christ.

• Your Myrrh

The Magi were first in a state of rest as they fell down and worshipped the Christ-child. The Magi had been thinking, they had been calculating, they had been studying, they had been striving, and they longed to see their Savior. They understood the reality of the present and of the hope of the glory to come, and they understood the significance of the gifts they brought to Jesus. Hebrews 4:9-10 says, “So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” We need to remember that God give us Sabbath rest; He has done all the work in bringing us to salvation and the resulting peace with Him. The myrrh we bring to God is our trusting Him in all of life.

Selah:

1. How would those which whom we associate know that Jesus is our King?

2. What are some of the things Jesus, our Priest, needs to intercede for us?

3. Describe the circumstances behind your ceasing to strive for salvation and just resting in the finished work of Christ.