Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh. Part 2

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Part 2 

Frankincense is a white resin burned as fragrant incense. It is first mentioned in the Bible in Exodus 30:34 when the LORD told Moses to make a perfume, pure and holy, to put before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tabernacle. The frankincense, along with three fragrant spices, was to be only for the LORD. (Exodus 30:34-38).

Jesus is the LORD. (John 14:7-10, Colossians 1:15).

Frankincense was also placed on meal offerings to the LORD. The priests, Aaron’s sons, took his handful of the flour, the oil, with all the frankincense, and would burn the memorial of it upon the altar to the LORD. (Leviticus 2:1-3).

Jesus is our High Priest.

"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us." - Hebrews 9:11-12 

Frankincense was also placed on the shewbread, which was placed in the holy place by the altar of incense and the golden menorah. The shewbread was renewed every week and would be eaten by the priests. It is said that the frankincense gives the shewbread a bitter taste.

Frankincense points to the bitter suffering of Christ, the Bread of Life, that was offered for our sins. (John 6:48).

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world." - John 6:51 

Jesus experienced the bitterness of extreme pain and suffering of Roman scourging then crucifixion. As the priests would eat the shewbread with the bitter frankincense, we are to follow Jesus and crucify our sinful nature. (Matthew 16:21).

"Knowing this, that our old man [our old sinful lifestyle] is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6:6 

We do this by repenting of our sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, to live a new life in Jesus. (Acts 2:38-39).