DAY 22: The Three Gifts
“After listening to the king, they [the magi] went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 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. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.” – Matt 2: 9-12 ESV
My Thoughts:
The Magi by Henry Siddons Mowbray, 1915
Before the coming of Jesus, there had developed a variety of messianic beliefs in a wide range of Jewish groups. Many Jews of Jesus’ time held to the hope and biblical promise of an age to come when God would bring into this world a new state of affairs—it would be the Kingdom of God, as the prophets Isaiah and Daniel foretold. Many further believed that God would send a Messiah, meaning “anointed one,” who would be the one to deliver Israel. Many roles were attributed to this Messiah, including king/liberator, priest, and prophet.
Many believed that this anointed Messiah would be a king descended from King David, who would be anointed with God’s Spirit as David was. This was in keeping with the promises of the Davidic Covenant. Others believed the Messiah would be a liberating military or political figure who would overthrow Israel’s pagan rulers, thereby establishing God’s kingdom and God’s rule on earth. And others believed that the Messiah would be a priest who would cleanse the Temple and restore true worship of God. And still others believed the Messiah would be a prophet and teacher who would cause the other nations to acknowledge the truth of Israel’s God and make the Torah the universal law of mankind.
Thus, many Jews still dreamed of the day when the Messiah, the Anointed One, would put the world back into proper order. As a king who reestablishes the Israelite monarchy. And as a liberator who delivers them from their earthly bondages by conquering and judging Israel’s enemies and thereby vindicating Israel. As a priest who rebuilds, restores, and beautifies the Temple to its former glory and saves them from their sins. And as a prophet who teaches and causes all to bow before Yahweh, the one true God.
Instead of being either a king who rules and liberates us, a priest who bears our sin and saves us, or a prophet who teaches us, Jesus will occupy all three mediating roles, becoming the all-sufficient Messiah and Savior.
And we can see all three roles— of prophet, priest, and king— represented in the nativity story at Jesus’ birth. The three Magi from the East gave the baby Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These three gifts were symbolic of Jesus’ three mediating roles. Gold, a precious metal, was given as a symbol of His kingship. Frankincense, a perfume used in the Temple, was given as a symbol of Jesus’ priestly status and deity. And myrrh, an embalming ointment used at death, was given as a symbol of His sacrifice as a savior who would die for the world. Listen to the lyrics of the song We Three Kings with this spiritual symbolism in mind. As the song says, “Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and Sacrifice.”
Activity: The Drive Thru Difference
The local radio station KSGN 89.7 has a thing called the “Drive Thru Difference.” It’s an activity in which you pay for the bill of the person behind you—usually at a drive-thru restaurant. You can write your own note to give as well, or print out the KSGN note. And hand the note to the cashier to give to the person you’re paying for. This will let that person know that you care, by the kindness and generosity you have shown—especially in this holiday season when many become depressed, overwhelmed or disillusioned.
Prayer (from Our World Belongs to God, stanzas 22-23):
When Israel spurned God’s love—
lusting after other gods,
trusting in power and wealth,
and hurting the weak—
God scattered them among the nations,
yet kept a faithful remnant
and promised them the Messiah:
a prophet to speak good news,
a king to crush evil and rule the earth with justice,
a priest to be sacrificed for sinners.
God promised to forgive their sins
and give them a new heart and a new spirit,
moving them to walk in his ways.
Remembering the promise
to reconcile the world to himself,
God joined our humanity in Jesus Christ—
the eternal Word made flesh.
He is the long-awaited Messiah,
one with us and one with God,
fully human and fully divine,
conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
*Banner artwork based on The Adoration of the Magi tapestry, 1894. (Designed by Edward Burne Jones with details by William Morris and John Henry Dearle)
