The Star

While the shepherds came to worship Jesus at his birth, finding him in a manger, the wise men apparently came to worship at a later time.

The Bible records, “And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother”.

They worshiped Jesus in a house, where he is described as a young child. This was perhaps around the age of one, for Herod “slew all the children…from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.”

Balaam, a gentile prophet, had prophesied of a Star. This star is Jesus the Messiah.

"I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel…" - Numbers 24:17 KJV

This is the account of the wise men and the star:

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

“And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

“Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

“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.

“And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

“And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying,

“Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

“When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: and was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

“Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,

“In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not." - Matthew 2:1-18 KJV

Jesus is “the bright and morning star”.

"I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." - Revelation 22:16 KJV

Shepherds – part 1

The shepherds were amongst their flock, watching over them in the night.

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." - Luke 2:8-11 KJV

When the Lord spoke to them, the Shechinah (Holy Ghost) surrounded them. The heavenly host praised God for His great mercy: The Creator of the universe had humbled Himself to dwell among His creation. (Philippians 2:6-11).

The LORD, the Great Shepherd, had come as a Lamb to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29).

His body, His tabernacle among men, would be a place of sacrifice upon which He had placed His Name, and where His Spirit would dwell. He would bring peace between Himself and humanity – reconciliation – by His great sacrifice. (Colossians 1:14-23)

The birth of the LORD Savior was with a sign:

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." - Luke 2:12 KJV

“Manger” is another word for “crib.” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)

"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." - Isaiah 1:3 KJV

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13 KJV

The shepherds were witnesses – they did not delay. They then made known abroad the message that they not only had heard, but that they had witnessed for themselves. The shepherds delivered the message. Those that heard wondered at the message. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for the good news that they had heard AND witnessed.

Just as pastors –  shepherds of the chief Shepherd – taking the Word to the world that they not only have heard but have witnessed in their own life for themselves.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." - Acts 2:38 KJV

Be born of God – of water and of the Spirit – water baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

Hear the Word – obey the Word – experience it for yourself!

Church!

Jesus - The Prince of Peace

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - John 14:27 KJV

The peace Jesus left for His disciples was reconciliation back to God. Only the son of God - which is the flesh of God - could give this peace. God robed Himself in flesh to dwell among men, then gave His life on the cross, shedding His blood to redeem man back to Himself.

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." - Leviticus 17:11 KJV

"For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:" - Colossians 1:19-22 KJV

The fulfillment of the peace Jesus gave is His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Because Jesus paid the price of reconciliation by His blood, we are able to receive His Holy Spirit and become at one with God. No more separation because of sin – we are reunited with God.

"Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained." - John 20:21-23 KJV

Jesus brought peace through the blood of His cross to reconcile man back to Himself. On the Day of Pentecost He returned with the final fulfillment of His peace - His Holy Ghost.

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:1, 4 KJV

By applying His blood by water baptism in Jesus name, our sins are remitted, and we may receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, finding peace with God.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

As the disciples were to receive Jesus’ peace, He sent them to preach His peace to others, Acts 2:38.

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 KJV

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh part 4

What is frankincense?

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, where the LORD would meet with him. The frankincense along with three fragrant spices, was to be only for the LORD; anyone that would make the perfume for themselves to smell were to be cut off from his people.

"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. And as for the perfume which thou shalt make, ye shall not make to yourselves according to the composition thereof: it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD. Whosoever shall make like unto that, to smell thereto, shall even be cut off from his people." - Exodus 30:34-38 KJV

From these verses it appears that frankincense as one of the three gifts of the wise men to the young child Jesus was symbolic that Jesus is the LORD incarnate.

Frankincense was also placed on meal offerings to the LORD.

"And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: and he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering made by fire, of a sweet savour unto the LORD: and the remnant of the meat offering shall be Aaron's and his sons': it is a thing most holy of the offerings of the LORD made by fire." - Leviticus 2:1-3 KJV

As the remnant of this offering with frankincense was for the high priest Aaron and his sons, it points to Jesus being our High Priest, bringing the offering of His own blood to atone for our sins.

"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 KJV

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.

Here we see the frankincense pointing to the bitterness of suffering of Christ, the Bread of Life that was offered for our sins.

"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 KJV

"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. ... Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." - Matthew 16:21, 24-25 KJV

Jesus experienced the bitterness of extreme pain and suffering of lashes and then crucifixion. We are to follow Him, as the priests would eat the shewbread with the bitter frankincense, and crucify our sinful desires with Christ.

 "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 KJV

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." - Galatians 5:24 KJV [Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. NLT]

We do this by covenanting with Jesus.

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh part 3

Besides being used in the holy anointing oil, Myrrh is mentioned in the book of Esther as oil of myrrh, used as purifying before she would go in to King Ahasuerus. In this book, it appears Esther is symbolic of the church – the Bride of Christ – and the King as Jesus.

Myrrh was also mentioned at the time of Jesus’ suffering and death. As one of the three gifts given to Jesus in honor of His birth, it symbolized Jesus’ supreme love for His people, because of His willingness to suffer and die for His Bride.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV

In the Song of Solomon, Myrrh is used in describing the love of “my beloved.” Song of Solomon is said to be a love story of God and His people.

When the fullness of time came, God put on flesh to die for His beloved, redeeming her back to Himself from sin and death.

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not." - Mark 15:21-23 KJV

Myrrh is also mentioned at Christ’s burial.

"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:38-40 KJV

Nicodemus is the ruler of the Jews that was told by Jesus, You must be born again to see the kingdom of God. (See also: John 7:50-51 John 3:1-21, John 7:50-52, John 19:38-42).

The born again experience is accomplished by repentance, water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). This is “obeying the gospel” of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:46-49 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh part 2

Myrrh was used in the Old Testament in holy ointment used to anoint the tabernacle and the priests.

"Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels, and of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin: and thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

“And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony, and the table and all his vessels, and the candlestick and his vessels, and the altar of incense, and the altar of burnt offering with all his vessels, and the laver and his foot. And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy.

And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me in the priest's office. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, This shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations." - Exodus 30:22-31 KJV

The Hebrew word for “anointing” is the root word of “Moshiach,” which is translated in the King James Version of the Bible meaning “anointed, anointed one - as of the Messiah, Messianic prince; as of the king of Israel; as of the high priest of Israel; as of Cyrus; as of the patriarchs as anointed kings” From: Strong’s Outline of Biblical Usuage.

As Myrrh was used in the holy anointing oil, it was one of the three gifts given to Jesus as gifts by the wise men.

The holy anointing oil was only to be used on the tabernacle and the priests.

The body of Jesus is the tabernacle of God’s Spirit.

"Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of his body." - John 2:19-21 KJV

"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." - John 14:7-10 KJV

All of the parts of the tabernacle was anointed.

"And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy: whatsoever toucheth them shall be holy." - Exodus 30:29 KJV

Jesus Christ is the anointed tabernacle.

"And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately." - Luke 8:46-47 KJV

Jesus is our High Priest, offering His body as it is the Lamb of God, a holy sacrifice to pay the price of our sins.

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." - John 1:29 KJV

"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." - Hebrews 10:10 KJV

"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 KJV

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 KJV

Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh part 1

"Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." - Matthew 2:1-2 KJV

The three gifts that the wise men brought Jesus spoke of His identity, His mission, and His future.

One of the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus was gold – gold for a king.

"When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." - Matthew 2:3-6 KJV

The prophet Micah foretold of the Messiah – the Father manifest in flesh – coming out of Bethlehem to rule Israel.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." - Micah 5:2 KJV

Isaiah prophesied this king would be the Mighty God, born as a child, to rule and reign upon the throne of David.

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this." - Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV

"Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

“When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 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 2:7-11 KJV

Gold for a king – and Jesus is King of kings – reigning forever!

"And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." - Luke 1:30-33 KJV

"These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful." - Revelation 17:14 KJV