It Starts Small

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Scripture Reading:

• Matthew 2:11
• Psalm 141:2
• Hebrews 7:25
• 1 Timothy 2:5

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¹¹ Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Matthew 2:11

We find ourselves deeply immersed in the profound significance of the three gifts the wise men bestowed upon Jesus. The first gift, perfectly suited for a King, resonates powerfully within us. Today, we turn our hearts to the sacred gift of frankincense, a treasure fitting for a priest. Frankincense may seem distant in our modern lives. However, it carries a precious significance in Christ’s existence. This is something we simply cannot overlook.

Frankincense is often lovingly referred to as olibanum. It is a captivating aromatic resin. This resin is drawn from the majestic trees of the genus Boswellia. They are part of the enchanting Burseraceae family. These ancient trees thrive in the sun-kissed arid landscapes of Africa and Asia. They grace countries like Somalia, Ethiopia, Oman, Yemen, India, and Eritrea. With reverent skill, harvesters carefully carve into the trunks. This allows the precious milky sap to flow forth. It gradually hardens into exquisite tear-shaped droplets. As these drops crystallize, they tell a story of nature’s magic. When this revered resin is set ablaze, it releases an ethereal fragrance. This fragrance envelops us in its heavenly embrace.

The extraordinary nature of it linked it powerfully to sacred priestly activities. Incense, a divine offering, was burned with fervor as an intrinsic part of their sacred duties. In the hallowed spaces of the Tabernacle and temple, its fragrant plumes ascended. These plumes symbolized the heartfelt prayers of the people reaching out to Him (Psalm 141:2). In the biblical era, sensory offerings were far more limited. We must remember this fact. The aroma of the incense stood out like a beacon among the mundane. God intended it this way, desiring to evoke something truly singular and unique in the hearts of His people.

God designed incense to be a powerful trigger. It reminded every Jewish man, woman, and child that their heartfelt prayers were ascending toward Him. The aromatic embrace of incense was not merely a scent. It served as a sacred bridge. The incense connected the faithful with their Divine Creator. That enticing fragrance signified a profound bond between heaven and earth, a reminder of their spiritual union. The sacred responsibility of the priests was to offer this sacred incense. They also carefully tended to it. This ensured that the divine connection remained alive and vibrant.

The wise men were boldly declaring that, in addition to being a King, Jesus is not merely a head priest. He is not even just the High Priest. He is the Highest Priest! The book of Hebrews reveals the profound depth of this truth. In ancient Israel, the High Priest was the vital link between God’s people and God. He interceded for sinful souls to the Holy One. Yet, every High Priest was just a fallible man, constrained by time. No matter how dedicated they were, their ministry was destined to be temporary. They were always bound to be replaced.

But when Jesus died, rose, and ascended to heaven, He transformed into something profoundly unique. He became our eternal high priest, relentlessly interceding for humanity in the glorious presence of God Himself (Hebrews 7:25). Even now, over 2,000 years later, Jesus stands as the passionate mediator, representing God to mankind and mankind to God:

⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

1 Timothy 2:5

Frankincense symbolizes and foretells the magnificent role that Jesus embodies now and forever. It powerfully illustrates how Christ serves as the divine connector between humanity and God. As our intercessor, He doesn’t serve for a fleeting moment, but eternally and unyieldingly. We are assured that our prayers ascend to the Father. This happens because of His unwavering commitment. They are cradled in the loving hands of the Highest Priest.

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