Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh 2

Frankincense

Matthew 2:11

And when they had come into the house,

they saw the young Child with Mary His mother,

and fell down and worshiped Him.

And when they had opened their treasures,

they presented gifts to Him:

gold, frankincense, and myrrh

 Frankincense is made by cutting a tree named "Boswellia Sacra" - found Persia (Iran), Arabia and India. It’s like a sap that is gathered after the tree is bruised three times. The first and second bruisings yield a lower quality resin. The third, however, yields a resin of very high quality. A spike was driven into the tree to collect the frankincense. The sap is dried for 3 months and becomes a like a hardened resin or gum. 

Jesus’ life and death is a perfect picture of a faultless offering. He was bruised for our iniquities (Is. 53:5) so that we could find peace and healing.

Although the Lord is not the author of suffering in our lives, yet He uses suffering to “bruise” us and draw worship from our lives. This frankincense speaks of the pure faith that comes from our correct responses to suffering.

The word “Frankincense” means: to become white – it becomes a white smoke when burned, and it creates light – this clarity and whiteness indicates holiness and righteousness (Song 4:6; Jn. 19:39). Our lives are a sweet and holy aroma of worship when we choose holiness and live as overcomers.

In Biblical times Frankincense was used as a perfume (this perfume is mentioned 17 times in scripture) and also as an ingredient in the incense that was burned on the altar of worship in the Tabernacle. Therefore frankincense would be a familiar smell to baby Jesus. He is/was God who was worshiped with the offering of this fragrance day after day.

Symbolically Frankincense represented Jesus as our Divine Priest – our holy Priest. As mentioned Frankincense was burnt as an offering to God – as prayer and praise were lifted to Him.

Holiness is inward glory;
glory is holiness shining forth outwardly.

Holiness is worked into us by the Holy Spirit -
not because we have suffered,
but because we have surrendered.


Part One: HERE

Part Three: HERE