A Psychologist looks at Scripture

Epiphany Mt 2: 1-12 The Gentile Scientists welcome Jesus

Season 2 Episode 60

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In today’s Gospel the arrival of the Magi is noted.  This Gospel is full of symbolism about who Jesus would be.  Some biblical traditions list the Magi as kings and some traditions have even named them, Caspar (or Gaspar), Melchior, and Balthazar.  Likely, this naming is primarily derived from Western Christian tradition.  Its highly unlikely that three kings would have gone  into the desert alone without an entourage for protection.  Likely if three kings showed up in a small town everyone would soon know and King Herod would not have had  to rely on the Magi to find out exactly where Jesus was.  The gifts brought by the Wise Men give  us a hint and foretell  the ministry of Jesus. Gold representing royalty, frankincense symbolizing divinity, and myrrh foreshadowing suffering and death.