The Panoply of Prayer

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,

and fell down, and worshipped him:

and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Matthew 2:11

The gifts of the wise men shew just how wise they truly were. To seek an unsought King, to watch the Heavens and to follow the Spirit of God as Gentile when hardly an Israelite cared displayed true wisdom indeed. The rich symbolism of their gifts prepared Jesus’ earthly family for who He was born to be.

The Perfect Picture

Jesus came to serve as king, priest, and prophet. The Christmas carol, “We Three Kings,” sings a verse to each of those offices, represented by the gifts that the wise men brought to the young child.

Gold

“Born a king on Bethlehem’s plain…” Gold spoke to the royalty of the Son of God. It is reflected in the title, “Lord.” When he was born, they looked for the “King of the Jews” and when He was crucified, His accusation read, “This is Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” His first advent did not gain Him the throne of the kingdoms of this world, yet those that believe on Him in the world crown Him in their hearts, bowing to the Kingdom of God.

Frankincense

“Incense owns a Deity nigh…” Frankincense spoke to the priesthood of Jesus Christ. It is His credential as “the Christ.” As the Levitical priesthood, Jesus was anointed to intercede. He served as mediator for the sinner; to speak God’s words to him. He was ordained to offer “one sacrifice for sin, for ever.” This supreme of all sacrifices shocked the world when lo, it was neither lamb, nor goat, nor bull, but the wearer of the incense offered himself, “by himself.”

Myrrh

“Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume breathes a life of gathering gloom…” Myrrh is the spice of embalmers. The humanity of JESUS is understood by this last gift. As a man, he was humbled and tempted. He suffered weariness and hunger. Finally, He was numbered with the transgressors and died.

This name, these gifts encompass the deep layered character of the Son of God. Of course, it takes all 66 books to portray that Man for Who He entirely is, yet these three sides frame our understanding. The completeness of Jesus Christ’s purpose; the offices that He fills from manger to throne are encapsulated in three elements: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These are a strikingly unique combination for an ordinary man to possess. However, a look into God’s Book will unearth the source of these gifts; and how each “owns a Deity nigh.”

The Perpetual Witness of Christ

The Old Testament was given for our learning. Every book testifies of Jesus Christ. The foreshadowing of the person and office that the Lord Jesus Christ holds is revealed in some special and unusual places. Our study of these gifts takes us to Exodus 30, a chapter that seems less about people and more about… furniture. Let’s see what is hid among the stuff.

“And thou shalt make an altar to burn incense upon: of shittim wood shalt thou make it.“

Exodus 30:1

The entire passage, 38 verses, lists the building, the preparing, and the using of the altar of incense. This altar is located in the holy place, along with the table of shewbread and the golden candlestick. This altar was lit from coals from the burnt offering that took place on the brazen altar, located in the outer courtyard. It’s special purpose is rich with symbolism for the Christian’s life, and relationship to Jesus Christ.

His human nature is shown in the wood frame of this altar. He is described as the “Root… of David.” (Rev. 21:16) Four times he is called the “Branch.” As He was led out to Golgotha, He told the women, “For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?” (Luke 23:31) His humanity is necessary to intercession, for “There is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” (1 Timothy 2:5) The manhood of Jesus Christ is the earthly footing for offering prayer.

“And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold…”

Exodus 30:3

The plans called for a precious metal in its most refined form. Pure gold. Many things on the inside of the Tabernacle were decorated this way. Jehovah was both God and King to the children of Israel. Gold was gathered as an offering after Moses descended Mt. Sinai to make this incense altar. If wood saw Him as the Son of Man; gold sees Him as the Son of God.

“Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels…”

Exodus 30:23

The offering at this altar demanded distinctness. Every instrument and all the furniture was bathed in an ointment; from the Ark of the Covenant in the sanctum sanctorum to the Brazen Laver where they washed their hands. The first of the principal spices in this ointment was myrrh. Myrrh was the bitter sap bled from a thorny shrub that dotted the Sinai Peninsula. The strong aroma was suitable for embalming. God ordered there to be no other synthesized like it. “Upon man’s flesh shall it not be poured, neither shall ye make any other like it, after the composition of it: it is holy, and it shall be holy unto you.” (Exodus 30:32)

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: 
And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy: 
And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy.”

Exodus 30:34-36

The incense burnt with notable, pungent spices. Whereas the myrrh was a liquid ointment, the frankincense was a dry compound meant to smolder and fill the air with a sweet, smoky scent. The coals came from the supernatural fire sent from the Mercy Seat. “And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Lev. 9:24) The flames that consumed whole animals for sin offerings also perfumed the Tabernacle with their dying embers. The sin offering connected to the prayer of the people through the fire carried from the brazen altar to the golden altar of incense.

This incense was the second offering at the second altar. The first altar and offering atoned for the people’s sin. The inner altar and offering brought their prayers into the presence of God.

The Accessible Presence of Christ

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Romans 5:1-2

The earthly Tabernacle mirrors the Heavenly one. Christ was our sin offering, once and for all. But take a glance into Heaven, and God shows another kind of offering is due. “And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.” (Revelation 8:4)

All of God in Prayer

Our prayers are the incense. The fire was Calvary. And the access to the throne of grace? An Altar covered in gold, anointed in myrrh, and offering frankincense. A frail child in Bethlehem receiving these gifts unveils the supreme office of the Lord Jesus Christ. Mediator. Daysman. High priest through Whom we can boldly approach the eternal throne.

Access to God through all that Jesus Christ is. We realize that each and every time we pray. The wise men knew they were coming to the manifestation of God in flesh. May we ponder also this figure, until we see God, face to face.

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