Symbolism of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh in Christ’s Offices

Jesus is the anointed Messiah who fulfills the essential roles of prophet, priest, and king, each role deeply intertwined with His life and mission. The gifts brought by the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—serve as profound symbols that reveal His divine identity and purpose to save and sanctify humanity.

As the prophet, Jesus is the ultimate messenger who speaks God’s truth to humanity. Frankincense, used as incense in the temple, symbolizes prayer and divine communication, representing Jesus’s role as the intermediary between God and people. The rising smoke of frankincense in the temple signifies prayers ascending to God, and Jesus, as the perfect high priest, stands as the mediator who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice ([35:08]). His designation as the “holy one” (Greek “Creo” or Christ) affirms His divine authority to proclaim God’s word and intercede on behalf of humanity.

In His priestly role, Jesus is the one who intercedes for humanity through His sacrificial death. Myrrh, known for its use in anointing and embalming, symbolizes this sacrificial aspect. Its antiseptic properties and application in preparing bodies for burial—such as the 75 pounds Nicodemus brought to anoint Jesus’s body ([49:58])—prefigure Jesus’s death and burial. Anointing with myrrh signifies being set apart as holy and dedicated to God’s purpose. This practice aligns with the biblical tradition of anointing high priests and kings, including Saul and David, highlighting Jesus as the ultimate high priest who intercedes for humanity and the righteous King who rules justly ([42:32]). The prophecy of the suffering servant in Isaiah 53 further confirms Jesus’s role as the priest who bears sin and makes believers righteous through His sacrifice.

Jesus’s kingship is symbolized by the gift of gold. His royal lineage, traced through David, and the anointing with oil used to consecrate kings and priests, affirm His divine authority and rightful reign. Jesus’s kingship transcends earthly rule, fulfilling the promises made to David and establishing an eternal kingdom characterized by justice and righteousness ([44:32]).

Together, the gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh collectively acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah—the anointed one who embodies prophet, priest, and king. Myrrh, in particular, points to His suffering and sacrificial death as the Lamb of God. Its antiseptic and purifying qualities symbolize the sanctification Jesus accomplishes, setting believers apart as holy ([46:40]). His role as the suffering servant, foretold by Isaiah, is fulfilled through His death, which covers sin and imparts holiness.

The symbolism of myrrh extends beyond its physical properties to spiritual significance. Its antiseptic nature and use in burial represent Jesus’s role in covering sin and making humanity acceptable before God. The church at Smyrna, described in Revelation as “sweet smelling,” illustrates how suffering and trials produce the fragrance of Christ’s character in believers, just as bruising the myrrh tree releases its fragrant aroma ([47:22]). Nicodemus’s act of bringing a large quantity of myrrh to anoint Jesus’s body acknowledges His sacrificial role and foreshadows His death as the ultimate expression of love and redemption.

Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection fulfill God’s plan to save and sanctify His people. As the anointed one who reigns forever in righteousness, He embodies the prophet who reveals God’s truth, the priest who intercedes and sacrifices for humanity, and the king who rules with justice and holiness.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from TheChurch Estrella, one of 2 churches in Goodyear, AZ