The Three Kings teach us that that when we earnestly pursue God, our efforts will lead us to encounter Him
Jan 6 marks Three Kings Day, a celebration honoring the biblical expedition of the wise men, also known as the magi, as they journeyed to meet the newborn Jesus.
Bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, these treasures held significant value, traditionally reserved for royalty due to their immense expense.
These offerings symbolized the profound significance of Christ’s birth and highlighted the divine nature of the infant.
The Magi, also known as the Three Kings, make their sole appearance in the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-12.
The biblical account provides scant details about these individuals, leaving much of their identity to be shaped by tradition and conjecture.
Notably, Scripture remains silent on the specific number of wise men, though the presumption of three arises from the presentation of three distinct gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
The Gospel of Matthew 2:1–12 describes the visit of the Magi in this wise:
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking,
“Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising,andhave come to pay him homage.”
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born.
They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’”
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared.
Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.”
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was.
When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage.
Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another path.
The gifts of the Magi laden with symbolism, underscored Christ’s identity and purpose: gold representing kingship, incense signifying divinity, and myrrh traditionally used for anointing the deceased.
Interestingly, the Gospel of John mentions Nicodemus bringing a mixture of aloe and myrrh—akin to the gifts of the Magi—to anoint Jesus’ body post-crucifixion.
Aside from the honor and prestige embedded in the gifts presented by the magi, scholars believe these specific offerings were selected due to their profound spiritual significance linked to Jesus himself.
Gold symbolized his kingship, frankincense represented his priestly duties, and myrrh foreshadowed his eventual death and embalming.
This interpretation gained popularity through the renowned Christmas carol “We Three Kings.”
The Three Kings teach us that that when we earnestly pursue God, our efforts will lead us to encounter Him. He isn’t elusive; rather,
He desires a close bond with every individual.
The wise individuals honored Jesus with a reverence typically reserved for God, humbly bowing and worshiping Him. Jesus isn’t merely a revered teacher or an admirable figure; He is the Son of the Living God.