A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW 

THE MAGI GAVE GIFTS TO JESUS      

Matthew 2:9-11 “After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”  

From the words of today’s devotional verses the hearts of the Magi were moved greatly when they found the child Jesus. They were moved so much that they worshipped Him, indicating they believed He was more than simply a king sent to rule over the people.   

It seems appropriate to say the Magi actually gave Jesus four gifts. First, they gave Him their hearts because they recognized Him as God. Then they gave Him three additional gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.   

Bible scholars have presented various explanations regarding the significance of these gifts. The three explanations that have the greatest amount of support are, although the Scriptures do not have an explanation: 1) gold symbolizes Jesus’ kingship; 2) frankincense denotes His deity; and, 3) myrrh they gave in preparation for His death on the cross.  

These gifts were gifts fitting for the King Jesus is. They had great earthly value. They indicated that Jesus was of immense importance to them and the world. He is not an earthly king but as the Bible describes Him, He is “King of kings and Lord of lords.” (1 Timothy 6:15) They were in recognition that Jesus was not just flesh and blood but Divine in nature. And, though they did not know at that moment, the gift of myrrh indicated that Jesus was destined to die on Calvary’s cross in a little more than 30 years from the time of His birth. 

You bring to the altar your offerings and present them to God in thanksgiving for His gifts to you. You give your gifts out of love for Him because of the love you first received from Him. Your gifts give glory, honor, and praise to Him as did the Magi’s gifts. 

Prayer: Lord, receive my love out of gratitude and thanksgiving for the love You have shown me. Amen. 

Gracious God, You send great blessings   
New each morning all our days.  
For Your mercies never ending,   
For Your love we offer praise.  

Refrain: Lord, we pray that we, Your people    
 Who Your gifts unnumbered claim,   
 Through the sharing of Your blessings   
 May bring glory to Your name. 

By Your Word You formed creation  
Filled with creatures large and small;  
As we tend that endless treasure  
May our care encircle all. Refrain: 

In His earthly life, our Savior  
Knew the care of faithful friends;  
May our deeds of dedication   
Offer love that never ends. Refrain: 

Heav’nly Father, may our caring   
Bear the imprint of Your grace;  
With the Son and Holy Spirit,  
Praise be Yours in ev’ry place! Refrain:  (LSB 782)