Then Came The Wise Men

After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! 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 2:9-11

 

Jesus was born in Bethlehem. And Matthew tells us that there came Wise men from the East.  I have always found it interesting that Scripture doesn't tell us specifically that there were THREE Wise Men, just that Wise Men came from the East.  They were astronomers, among other things, and were apparently of some royal or high status due to the the gifts they brought.

 

Now, picture this, these Wise Men, out of courtesy to the local ruler, stopped by Herod's Palace to exchange pleasantries and "Oh, by the way, where can we find the child who is the King of the Jews?".  Imagine you are Herod, current King of the Jews by the permission of the Romans, being told that a NEW King of the Jews has been born.  Herod, was NOT a very nice man.  He killed off any competition for his throne and power, even his own sons!  And now these three Princes from another land are asking for directions to see the new king.

 

Herod, being the devious psychopath that he was, told these Wise Men to go to Bethlehem (where the Scriptures had foretold Jesus would be born), and find this new king.  Herod asked them to come back and tell him where they found this new child-king so he (Herod) could go an "worship" Him as well.  Herod's a sneaky one!

 

But the Wise Men follow the star to the place where Jesus was and they brought expensive and precious gifts.  Now...Let's take a look at these gifts, shall we?

 

     * Gold - monetary. Uncommon to be had by common folk like a carpenter and his wife.  Gold  represented Kingship (Kings, after all, had most of their ornamental vestments made of gold).  So we can say the Wise Men were recognizing the Kingship of Christ. 

     * Frankincense - a very aromatic Incense used by Priests when conducting their holy duties.  It was used by the priests when they made sacrifices and it was used to fill the Holy of Holies with sweet aroma for God to breathe.  

 

     * Myrrh - the oil of the Commiphora family of trees.  The oil was difficult to obtain because the trees were armed with thorns which were strong like nails and sharp as porcupine quills.  But the oil was SO precious that it was used for Anointing that which is Holy.  When a King was anointed Myrrh Oil was used. Priests used Myrrh Oil to anoint the Holy Seat of God.

 

So these Wise Men were not only wealthy Princes who came to pay homage to the King of Kings, they were also shrewd enough to see through Herod's politics and they went home without telling Herod where they found Jesus.  

 

Let me ask you...what do you bring to offer to the King of Kings?