[Feature Story] The Meaning of the Three Gifts the Magi from the East gave Jesus
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December 18, 2022 |
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In Matthew 2, the Magi from the east prepared three gifts to celebrate the birth of Jesus, who forsake all the glory of heaven as the Son of God and came to this earth. They received God’s revelation and followed the guiding star to Bethlehem and worshipped the baby Jesus on behalf of all mankind, offering gold, frankincense, and myrrh. I hope you have a happy Christmas, reflecting on the blessings given to us by examining the spiritual meaning of these three gifts.
Gift 1: Gold ‘Heart’
Gold, which symbolizes wealth, spiritually means our heart, as Matthew 6:21 says, “for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Giving everything we have, and serving God first even when we are unable to do so is the heart of offering gold as a gift. God, who was pleased with giving gold to Jesus, gives believers a beautiful kingdom of heaven built with gold and precious gemstones as a gift. God blessed anyone to receive salvation by faith, have heaven in their hearts, and enjoy eternal blessing in heaven in the future.
Gift 2: Frankincense ‘Fragrance of Christ’
Frankincense, which gives off a fragrant smell and removes bad odors, spiritually represents the fragrance of Christ. Fighting against sins to the point of bloodshed, rejecting every form of evil, and giving out the fragrance of Christ with good deeds is offering frankincense to the Lord. Jesus, who received frankincense as a gift, redeems mankind from all the filthy and stinky sins and leads them to sanctification. Those who are sanctified in this way and emit the fragrance of Christ are blessed with good health and prosperity in all things, just as their souls prosper. (3 John 1:2)
Gift 3: Myrrh ‘Unchanging Faith’
Myrrh has been used since ancient times as a flavoring agent and preservative to prevent decay, and it also played a role in keeping the body from decaying during burial. The Magi’s offering of myrrh as a gift signifies that they are offering spiritually incorruptible things, that is, unchanging faith. Then, what did Jesus, who received myrrh as a gift, give to those who believed in His name? By giving the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, as a gift, He let the dead spirit of man be revived and receive eternal life with a perfect spiritual body that will never decay.
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