Gifts Of The Wise Men

Gold His Sovereign Dominion

Gold was a gift presented to a king. It was the most precious metal of that day and it symbolized royalty. The wise men recognized that this baby who was born in a manger was no ordinary baby-this was King Jesus! He is King of kings and Lord of lords. The wise men did not cuddle Him. They did not play games with Him. Instead they bowed the knee in reverence to Him. They recognized that indeed He is King.


Frankincense His Sinless Deity

If gold was a gift of wealth for a king, then frankincense was used to worship the King. These wise men recognized the sinless deity of Jesus that was deserving of their worship. Matthew (2:11) says, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshiped Him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

The wise men knew this baby was God, and they fell down in worship of Him. Isaiah (9:6) states clearly, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Myrrh His Sacrificial Death

Wise-man's Gift The third gift the wise men brought was a valuable gum-like substance called myrrh that was used to embalm the dead. Stop and think of the significance-bringing a child something that would be used to embalm the dead? They did this because they recognized that this little one was born to die.

Myrrh was also used as a narcotic to dull pain. Mark (15:22-23) tells us, “And they bring Him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave Him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but He received it not.” There upon that cross, instead of tasting myrrh to numb His pain, Jesus tasted death for every man. And finally, to prepare Him for burial, Nicodemus brought myrrh, John (19:38-40).


What will you give Jesus this Christmas? Because of His sovereign dominion, will you give Him your wealth? All that we have belongs to Him. Because of His sinless deity, will you give Him your worship? Fall on your face before Him. Because of His sacrificial death, will you give Him your witness? I want the whole world to know that He died for me. Do you? My wealth, my worship, and my witness belong to my Lord. And according to His Word, so does yours.