- Apr 22, 2011
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The trip from Persia to Jerusalem by camel had to take at least three weeks as a camel can travel 500 miles in ten days plus giving time for rest along the trip. Being that the path they took could have been the Silk Road, which was an unsafe road especially when you were traveling with goods of worth, the Shekinah Glory Cloud not only led their trip it protected them until they reached the site where Jesus was born so they could humbled themselves before the King of the Jews and worship him with their best gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
All three gifts that were mentioned in scripture had real value and also possibly a prophetic one as only the Magi recognized Jesus as being a king at his birth even though no one else did, not even his own family. Gold was a traditional gift to families to help with the financial burden of a new child and it also symbolized virtue. Frankincense was used as incense and perfume as a soothing gift for a new family. It also helps to keep away pest especially around a new baby. Frankincense was one of the elements used in holy anointing and was placed in a purified form on the showbread in the tabernacle, Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 6:15; 24:7. Myrrh was another ingredient of the holy anointing oil, Exodus 30:23-33). It was also useful as a deodorant. Its preservative properties allowed myrrh to be used along with aloes and other scents and spices to anoint the dead.
These three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh represented the life and death of Jesus in respect to gold as being his kingship here on earth, frankincense his priestly office and myrrh signifying his suffering. As these three gifts symbolized the life and death of Christ we also humble ourselves before him bringing our best gifts to bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus.
The gifts of the Magi were fit for a king and we have to ask ourselves what are our best gifts or are we even giving our best gifts to the Lord. Gifts are not only monetary like what you place in the offering plate, but it is also giving the best of us to others as Jesus gives us his best.
Gods will is for all of us to love unconditionally as Christ loves us this way. We need to be obedient to one another’s needs, concerns and passions through being true to our own selves of what is the best we can do for others.
John 14:15 if you love me keep my commandments. Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus said unto them, thou shalt love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets.
Some ask, “Who are my neighbors”, and Gods answer to this is everyone around the world. As we help others in the name of Jesus this honors him with a gift that is fit for a king as in doing so we bring faith, hope and the love of Christ to others that have no faith or hope.
All three gifts that were mentioned in scripture had real value and also possibly a prophetic one as only the Magi recognized Jesus as being a king at his birth even though no one else did, not even his own family. Gold was a traditional gift to families to help with the financial burden of a new child and it also symbolized virtue. Frankincense was used as incense and perfume as a soothing gift for a new family. It also helps to keep away pest especially around a new baby. Frankincense was one of the elements used in holy anointing and was placed in a purified form on the showbread in the tabernacle, Exodus 30:34; Leviticus 6:15; 24:7. Myrrh was another ingredient of the holy anointing oil, Exodus 30:23-33). It was also useful as a deodorant. Its preservative properties allowed myrrh to be used along with aloes and other scents and spices to anoint the dead.
These three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh represented the life and death of Jesus in respect to gold as being his kingship here on earth, frankincense his priestly office and myrrh signifying his suffering. As these three gifts symbolized the life and death of Christ we also humble ourselves before him bringing our best gifts to bring glory and honor to the name of Jesus.
The gifts of the Magi were fit for a king and we have to ask ourselves what are our best gifts or are we even giving our best gifts to the Lord. Gifts are not only monetary like what you place in the offering plate, but it is also giving the best of us to others as Jesus gives us his best.
Gods will is for all of us to love unconditionally as Christ loves us this way. We need to be obedient to one another’s needs, concerns and passions through being true to our own selves of what is the best we can do for others.
John 14:15 if you love me keep my commandments. Matthew 22:36-40 Jesus said unto them, thou shalt love the Lord with all your heart and with all your soul and with your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the Prophets.
Some ask, “Who are my neighbors”, and Gods answer to this is everyone around the world. As we help others in the name of Jesus this honors him with a gift that is fit for a king as in doing so we bring faith, hope and the love of Christ to others that have no faith or hope.