The wise men did not only bring gold as a gift for Baby Jesus, they also brought frankincense and myrrh. Each one of these gifts was extremely valuable and were highly significant in its symbolism, its relationship to the different titles of Jesus and to ancient temple worship.

Frankincense was symbolic of Christ’s role as a priest. Both frankincense and myrrh are tree resins from two types of trees that grow in the Arabian Peninsula. They are known for their healing properties and were often combined with other spices to create healing balms. Frankincense has a sweet, pleasant smell and is also used in perfume. Both incenses are harvested by wounding the tree, by cutting and removing a small piece of the bark. The tree resin then drips or “bleeds out” and is left to harden before it is removed. This process reminds us of Jesus’ suffering on the cross where His blood was shed and poured out tomake atonement for our sins.

In temple worship, frankincense was placed on the table of shew bread in the Holy Place and burnt by the priests as an offering to God every Sabbath. It was also combined with other incenses and burnt on the altar of incense in the Holy Place, every morning and evening, so that the incense would burn regularly before the Lord for the generations to come. Aaron, the first high priest, had to perform this duty. (Ex 30:7-8)

During the Exodus, as the Israelites were camping at the foot of Mount Sinai, children of God were not able to come into His presence because of their sinfulness. Instead, God had the High Priest take their place, and in this way, he became the intercessory on their behalf. To help symbolize his important role as a mediator and type of Christ, each piece of the clothing
of the high priest pointed to the Messiah. The high priest wore eight holy garments. Four of which four were worn by all priests and four were unique to the High Priest. An undergarment, a tunic, a sash and a turban were worn by all priests. The High Priest also wore a blue robe, an ephod, a breastplate and a golden crown. On the bottom of the blue robe were bells alternating with pomegranate tassels. As the High Priest moved around, the bells would ring, reminding the people that they were in the presence of the High Priest, who represented the Lord. The pomegranates, fruit with hundreds of seeds, represented fruitfulness and prosperity. Probably the most significant and expensive pieces of the High Priest’s clothing, were the ephod and the breastplate. The precious gemstones worn on the shoulders of the high priest were engraved with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, to symbolize that he was to carry Israel upon his shoulders at all times. The breastplate also bore the twelve engraved gemstones and symbolized that he was to carry Israel against his heart. The golden crown was inscribed with, “Holiness to the Lord.”

As Jesus Christ agonised in the garden of Gethsemane, sweating blood, and when He died on the cross at Calvary, He carried the whole world on his shoulders and against His heart. The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement, the tenth day of the seventh month of every year. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God. Having made a sacrifice for himself and for the people, he then brought the blood into the Holy of Holies and sprinkled it on the mercy seat, God’s “throne”. (Lev. 16:14-16) He did this to make atonement for himself and the people for all their sins committed during the year just ended (Exodus 30:10).

In Hebrews 9:1-28 NIV, we read about Christ our High Priest, who entered the Most Holy Place, not by the blood of goats and calves, but by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption for us. For this reason He became the mediator of a New Covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance!

Hebrews 8:1
“Now the main point of what we have to say is this: We have such a High Priest, One Who is
seated at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven.” Hebrews 4: 14-16

:14 “Inasmuch as we have a great High Priest Who has already ascended and passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession of faith in Him

:15 For we do not have a High Priest Who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities, but One Who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning.

:16 Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in good time for every need.”

According to the Psalms, burning incense represented the prayers of Israel ascending to the Lord before the veil. It is here where Zechariah had an encounter with an angel foretelling the birth of John the Baptist, while he was burning incense on the altar of incense.

In Psalm 141:2 David says:
“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the
evening sacrifice.”

Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.”

Prayer:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for being my High Priest. Thank you for shedding your blood for me. May my prayers be like incense to you, and the lifting of my hands like the evening sacrifice. I offer my body as a living sacrifice to You.
Take all of me. Amen.