Unlocking the Treasures of God, Frankincense and Mrryh

The men of the east had not only opened their hearts, but they opened their treasures and presented their gifts to the Eternal King. Each treasure given to the Eternal King had a special significance that was full of deep revelation. One was gold, one was frankincense and the other was myrrh.  As you listen be blessed, empowered and transformed in Jesus name.

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Transcript

00:00 Intro music and voice over.

Welcome to jesus loves the world podcast. For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name! 

00:21 Speaker

Centuries ago, the creator of heaven and earth and all things good placed a very special star in the night sky. This star was no ordinary star. It was a new and unique star that was rich in meaning, splendour and majesty. Placed in the night sky by the hand of the Eternal One, this star was there as a sign. A sign that would show the way to the Eternal King who had come down to earth as a vulnerable baby. 

This special star in the sky was observed by men from the east. They were students of the stars. One night as they were watching the night sky, they noticed this unique star that had just miraculously appeared. 

What a special intimate and personal moment this was. For the had Eternal One placed His star in the night sky for these students of the stars to see. The Eternal One communicated the treasures of His heart to them in a way they would not only understand, but also be able to choose how to respond. 

Upon seeing this special star, they received a deep revelation of the Eternal One. They knew it was special and even more significantly, they knew it represented the birth of the Eternal King. Not only the Eternal King of the Jews but the Eternal King of all people. So they followed the star of the Eternal King all the way to Jerusalem. It was a moment in time that they and all of humanity will never forget. 

Their response to receiving this revelation of the Eternal King was burning in their hearts. They desired to kneel down before Him in honour and reverence and worship Him. 

When the men of the east were in Jerusalem, they enquired as to who had been born king of the Jews. They testified that they had seen His star and had come from afar to worship Him. 

Yet the Jewish leaders and all of Jerusalem were troubled to hear this wonderful good news for all people. Herod was the Jewish leader in charge of the province at the time. He had already chosen in his heart to reject the Eternal King and His right to rule and reign. Having rejected the Eternal King, Herod, along with the leaders of Jewish lineage rejected their only pathway to salvation. In doing so, they had effectively aligned themselves with evil. 

Having discovered the prophecy of the birth place of the king who will be their good shepherd, the men of the east headed to Bethlehem. As they departed Jerusalem, the star of the Eternal King went before them. They followed, for they had received Him as their king and saviour. 

Then the star of the Eternal King stopped. It stood over where the Eternal King was. 

The men from the east had exceedingly great joy when they found the young boy. They had travelled far. They knew the Eternal King had travelled further, from heaven to earth.

They entered into the house where the Eternal King was. He had been recently born and was with His mother.

Even though they were from a far country of another tribe, they came to worship the Eternal King. This was indeed a sacred moment.

Let us read Matthew 2:11 And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

The men of the east had not only opened their hearts, but they opened their treasures and presented their gifts to the Eternal King. His name is Jesus. 

Each treasure given to the Eternal King had a special significance that was full of deep revelation.

One was gold, one was frankincense and the other was myrrh. 

Gold is the gift that acknowledges the king. 

In ancient times gold was given to a king as a tribute because of its value. It was a sign of surrender and acknowledgement of that king’s right to rule and reign. Gold as a gift to a king was associated with peace and giving allegiance to that king.

During the reign of Ancient Israel’s third king, the Queen of Sheba came to see and hear for herself if the Eternal One’s wisdom had truly been given to Solomon. She came bearing gifts. One of which was gold. 

Solomon was amongst the wealthiest men whoever lived, yet the Queen of Sheba gave him gold. It was the gift recognised for a king. In acknowledgment of Solomon’s right to rule and reign, the Queen of Sheba also acknowledged the Eternal One.  

Let us read of that moment in time. 1 Kings 10:9-10 Blessed be the LORD your God, who delighted in you, setting you on the throne of Israel! Because the LORD has loved Israel forever, therefore He made you king, to do justice and righteousness.” Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

The Queen of Sheba testified that the Eternal One loved Israel forever and as an act of love He had anointed Solomon to be their king. Solomon was anointed to do justice and to treat each one equally. 

In the Queen of Sheba giving Solomon an enormous amount of gold, spices and precious stones, she acknowledged Solomon’s right to rule and reign as king. Forming an alliance of peace, the Queen of Sheba gave tribute to Solomon.

Going back further in time, the first mention of gold in the Old Testament is in Genesis. It was in the beginning when the Eternal One had created the first man and woman to be in a covenant relationship with Him. He gave them the right to rule and reign over His perfect world.

Flowing out of the habitation of the first man and woman was a river that watered the garden. It branched out into four rivers. One of the four was named Pison. It is mentioned that it flowed through the land that had gold. The gold is described as good. 

So since the beginning, gold has been associated with the right to rule and reign. 

Gold was also used for sacred items in the temple. The most sacred items that were rich in meaning were solid gold. These were the lampstand, the altar, the table of showbread and various utensils associated with those items. 

The lampstand acknowledged the Eternal One as the divine light and eternal truth. The altar was a place of worship, sacrifice and acknowledgement of the covenant relationship between God and the people. The table of showbread was also an acknowledgment of the covenant with the Eternal One. It also was a reminder of His provision and desire for continual fellowship.

Having given their allegiance to Jesus, the men from the east gave tribute to Him. Echoing the past and heralding in the kingdom of the Eternal One, their gift of gold testified of the Eternal King.

The treasure of frankincense is also rich in revelation and meaning. 

Frankincense is a gift that acknowledges the role of a priest.

In the Old Testament, the first mention of frankincense was in connection with praise and thanksgiving offered by the priest. The role of the priest in the Old Testament was to offer sacrifices on behalf of the people to the Eternal One. Through the sacrifices, the cost for their offences would be paid. 

Frankincense also formed a significant part of worship of the Eternal One. It was a major ingredient in ceremonial sacrificial offerings and was part of the recipe given to Moses for holy incense. 

Together with the showbread, frankincense represented the everlasting covenant between the Eternal One and the people. The priest of the temple was to eat before the Eternal One as a reminder of the Eternal One’s desire for continual fellowship. A desire that is an expression of His selfless love.  

The gift of frankincense to the Eternal King acknowledges that He is the Eternal Priest. He is the embodiment of the eternal covenant. He represents the people to God and God to the people. 

Also in the Old Testament, in the book of the Song of Songs, frankincense is used poetically to also represent a covenant. A covenant of love and intimacy between the two. 

Therefore frankincense represents the love and intimacy that the Eternal One gives in His covenant with humanity. 

Having given their allegiance to Jesus, the men from the east gave tribute to Him. Echoing the past and heralding in the kingdom of the Eternal One, the gift of frankincense testified of the Eternal Priest.

The treasure of myrrh is also rich in revelation and meaning. 

Myrrh is a gift that acknowledges sacrifice and death.

In the days of old, myrrh formed part of the ritual anointing oil. According to the Old Testament, the anointing oil was a blend of myrrh, cinnamon, cassia and calamus. The aroma of myrrh is exotic in fragrance and has a contrasting sensation of both bitter, yet sweet. 

In Jewish tradition, myrrh was also used as the primary oil for burial preparations. Myrrh in the New Testament is only mentioned in relationship to Jesus. The first mentioned is in Matthew where we have read, a treasure of myrrh was given to the Eternal King by the men of the east. 

Myrrh is also mentioned in John at the burial of Jesus.

Let us read John 19:39-40 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

The only other time that myrrh is mentioned in the New Testament is when the flavour had been mixed with wine and was offered to Jesus as He hung on the cross, about to give up His spirit. 

The gift of myrrh testifies that the Eternal King became a vulnerable baby. He was to experience the full human condition. 

Jesus became the saviour of the world to pay the cost of all offences ever said, thought or done by humanity. That is, against self, others and God. He defeated death, our selfish desires and evil. He did it all for us. 

The men from the east opened the treasure of their heart in response to the Eternal One opening His. 

Having given their allegiance to Jesus, the men from the east gave tribute to Him. Echoing the past and heralding in the kingdom of the Eternal One, the gift of myrrh testified of the Eternal Saviour.

Their treasure of gold given to Jesus the Eternal King was an acceptance of His right to rule and reign. It was an outward act that expressed their hearts of surrender. They acknowledged that Jesus is the divine light and the eternal truth. Jesus the Eternal King illuminates the love of the Eternal One and His desire for continual fellowship with humanity. 

Their treasure of frankincense given to Jesus the Eternal King was an acceptance of His role as priest. With a heart of praise and thanksgiving, the men of the east acknowledged and accepted the Eternal One, for they had accepted the Eternal King. They entered into an eternal covenant with the creator of heaven and earth and all things good. Worshipping only Him.

Their treasure of myrrh given to Jesus the Eternal King was an acceptance of His sacrifice. Out of a revelation of who the Eternal King is and what He would do, the men of the east responded in honour and reverence. They acknowledged the enormous cost that the Eternal One would pay for all of the offences of humanity throughout the ages. The Eternal King would suffer to set humanity free from their suffering. Not only did the Eternal One become one of us, but He sacrificed His life for us. 

Having given their allegiance to Jesus, the men from the east gave tribute to Him. Echoing the past and heralding in the kingdom of the Eternal One, they testified of the Eternal King, Priest and Saviour.

So as we celebrate that Jesus is the Eternal King, Priest and Saviour of all people, let us take a moment to open up our hearts and minds to Him. As we understand the significance of the treasures of gold, frankincense and myrrh, let us remember the one whom they were given to. For Jesus is the Eternal King, Priest and Saviour, praise His mighty name!

19:40 Outro music and voice over. 

For more information and free resources visit our website jesuslovestheworld.info Be blessed empowered and transformed in Jesus’ name!