The Healing Gifts Of The Magi

The Healing Gifts Of The Magi

They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:11

Ask anyone who is familiar with the Bible to name the gifts that Jesus received from the magi, and they will say gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But ask them why the magi brought those particular gifts, and the answer may be less certain. Most people recognize the value of gold, but why frankincense and myrrh?

Myrrh was one of the ingredients that Moses used to make a sacred oil for anointing the Ark of the Covenant, the Tabernacle, and all its utensils. Whatever the oil touched was made holy.

In the ancient Near East, both myrrh and frankincense were used to make perfumes, oils, and ointments. In the Tabernacle, the priests would sprinkle frankincense over their grain offerings to create an aroma pleasing to the Lord.

Just as myrrh makes things holy and frankincense makes an offering pleasing to the Lord, Jesus himself was holy, and he ultimately became a wholly pleasing sacrifice for our sins. Perhaps the gifts he received were a way to foreshadow what was yet to come.

Frankincense and myrrh both have healing properties, as well. Myrrh can affect the hypothalamus and the pituitary. It can help to improve our spirits, diminish our fears, and make us more trusting and less judgmental. Myrrh also has antioxidant properties that can help to relieve stress and mitigate diseases. Frankincense is an antiseptic and disinfectant. It can even be used in some cancer treatments. These are but a few of the properties of medicinal oils made from frankincense and myrrh that we are now scientifically validating.

When these gifts were presented to the baby Jesus, they symbolized the emotional and physical healing that he would bring to the people he encountered during his earthly ministry. Today, we use anointing oils with frankincense and myrrh when we pray for the sick and dying. The oil represents and reminds us of the power that Jesus has over death and disease, as well as the presence of the Holy Spirit, who brings renewed health and vitality to those for whom we pray.

TODAY’S RX

If you’re sick, invite your friends to anoint you with oil and pray for your health to be renewed.

Jesus, thank you for being the perfect gift to this world. Help me to remember always that I am healed of my sins through your perfect sacrifice.