The story of the magi1 who came to worship the Christ Child is a brief but very revealing incident. In it, we learn (among other things), about Jesus’ star, and the gifts of the magi. The narrative is related in Matthew 2:1-12.
Matthew 2:1-12
1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east, and have come to worship Him.” 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet,
6 ‘AND YOU, BETHLEHEM, LAND OF JUDAH,
ARE BY NO MEANS LEAST AMONG THE LEADERS OF JUDAH
FOR OUT OF YOU SHALL COME FORTH A RULER,
WHO WILL SHEPHERD MY PEOPLE ISRAEL.’”2
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi, and ascertained from them the time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and make careful search for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 And having heard the king, they went their way; and lo, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them, until it came and stood over where the Child was. 10 And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed for their own country by another way.
The Star
Verse 2 tells us that the magi saw His star, which they knew was a special phenomena -so special that they came to worship Him. The star followed the Child, led the magi to Him, and pinpointed His location! (v9).
Who is it that has their own star? The Bible tells us that everything was made by Jesus and for Him.3 So it should not be too surprising that the One who made the stars has His own star to reveal Himself to us.
The Gifts
We don’t know how many magi made the trip, but we are told about three gifts that were given. The Bible does not explain all of it to us, but I think there is special significance in these gifts:
- Gold – This is a gift given to a King. Kings can command it to be given, but in this case, the gift was freely given. It is an act of honor and submission.
- Frankincense – Frankincense is an incense used in worship to deity. The Christ Child was not just the King, but also the God worthy of worship. (v2)
- Myrrh – Used as pain killer, myrrh was also used as an embalming spice in those days. (See the appendix for more information on Jewish burial.) The gift of myrrh points to the death of the Messiah which was was His purpose in coming to earth.
Conclusion
The magi knew there was something different about this One, born King of the Jews. They made a special trip, perhaps for many days, to see this special child. Their visit gives us insight into the nature of God -He wants us to know about Him!
The star led the magi to the correct location in Bethlehem. The city where the Messiah was to be born was a fulfillment of prophecy by Jesus. It is especially significant since Jesus, as a baby, could not satisfy the prediction on His own.
The reason for the gifts may have been quite different than what I suggested. However, the gifts of the magi were not the main point -the main point is the gift of the Christ, given to the world to redeem us to Him. (For more on this Gift, see my post, The Case for Christ.)
Appendix
The Jewish burial custom of that day was to wrap the body with linen and spices. Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus after crucifixion and placed Him in his own tomb. John 19:39 tells us that, “And Nicodemus came also, who had first come to Him by night; bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.” See also Matthew 27:57-60.
1 The magi were a ‘caste of wise men specializing in astrology, medicine, and natural science.’ Margin note for Matthew 2:1 in my New American Standard Bible (NASB).
2 Micah 5:2. (All caps in the New Testament indicate an Old Testament quote.)
3 Colossians1:16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created by Him and for Him.