Lakehoma Church of Christ

Matthew 2:11 says, “After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” The Magi bring three gifts (which led to the belief that perhaps there were three Magi). Their gifts are the gifts of the rich, fit for a newborn king, fit for the Son of God.

The worship and the gifts of these wise men would communicate to Joseph and Mary something special about Jesus and about how precious their little family was to the God who providentially cares for his children. Many times, God uses people to help people. It happened in the case of the Magi seeking Jesus as a babe to honor and worship him. These extravagant gifts would bring some much needed capital to a family trying to provide for a young child.

Tom Wright appropriately writes: “Listen to the whole story, Matthew is saying. Think about what it meant for Jesus to be the true king of the Jews. And then–come to him, by whatever route you can, and with the best gifts you can find” (Matthew For Everybody, v. 1, p. 12).

~Clyde H. Slimp