Gospel Outreach International

What deeper spiritual significance lies beneath these seemingly simple gifts, and how do they reveal the multifaceted nature of Christ? By examining these gifts through a typological lens, we uncover rich layers of meaning that connect Old Testament practices with the divine purpose of Jesus’s incarnation.

And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

• Gold
  • Practical gift for the Holy Family’s escape to Egypt
  • Represents Christ’s kingship
  • Symbolizes divine nature through tabernacle imagery
  • Demonstrates God’s providential planning
• Frankincense
  • Primary ingredient in holy temple incense
  • Represents worship in “spirit and truth”
  • Encompasses aspects of prayer: worship, praise, intercession, thanksgiving
  • Emphasizes the importance of pure, genuine worship
• Myrrh
  • Bitter to taste but sweet in aroma
  • Connected to death and sacrificial love
  • Used in anointing oil
  • Represents permanent spiritual anointing of believers
  • Practical uses: painkiller, preservation

And they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:23

This study beautifully unveils Jesus not just as a historical figure, but as the divine, anointed King who embodies love, sacrifice, and redemption. From the practical gold to the sweet-smelling frankincense and the transformative myrrh, each gift tells a story that goes far beyond a simple offering – they prophesy and celebrate the mission of Christ. It’s like unwrapping a divine gift that keeps revealing more layers of meaning with each careful examination.

Bible References

• Matthew 2:1-12
• Micah 5:2
• 1 John 2:20
• 1 John 2:27
• 2 Corinthians 1:21
• Philippians 4
• Mark 15:23