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Three Wise Women

by Barri Cae Mallin

Shalom. My name is Barri Cae. I was raised in a Jewish home and was saved in 1980
in my cousin's Jewish delicatessen. To God be all the glory. Shalom.

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We three kings of Orient are:
      Bearing gifts we traverse afar-
      Field and fountain, moor and mountain-
      Following yonder star.


So much has been written, spoke of and sung of the Magi, the wise men who visited the Baby Jesus after His birth. If one reads the Bible, their number is not mentioned. We know that they searched and studied the heavens, and that they brought 3 gifts to Yeshua: Jesus, gold,  frankincense and myrrh, the last two being oils and essences used for burial.

I would like to take a different spin on this. Did you know that there were 3 wise women? That they too searched the heavens? That they brought gifts of frankincense and myrrh? And these women weren't from the east, they were Jews.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Salome the wife of Zebedee (Matt 20:20, 27:56) brought spices so that they might anoint Jesus' body. And very early on the first day of the week they came to the tomb where the sun had risen (Mark 16:1-2).

As we do not know the number of Magi, we do know the number of women, we know their names and where they resided. We read that they watched the heavens to know when Shabbat was over, and when they could commence with their worship duties.

These women were doers. Out of love, they served Messiah Yeshua Jesus, cared for Him and desired to worship Him, even in His death. The spices and incense that they brought were gifts of love, as embalming is not standard Jewish practice.

Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed after and saw the tomb and how His body was laid. And they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath, they rested, according to the commandment. Luke 23:55-56)

These women were true Jews - they followed God's commandments, they honored the Sabbath day. They waited, in obedience, to bring their gifts until after the Sabbath. But they really got the best gift.

And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, although it was extremely large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. And he said to them, "Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth,
who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here, Behold, here is the place where they laid Him."
(Mark 16:4-6)

They fled, trembling with fear and astonishment. And just as the Magi departed for home another way (Matt 2:12), so did they. For a true encounter with Jesus will always make you go another way.

I just love God's word! When we really dig, we find true gems.

These 3 girls of Galilee are -
      Bringing gifts, they traveled afar.
      Worship in love, their one true mission -
      the Best gift ever - Yeshua is Risen!


P.S.
If you look at the original song, We three kings, the next 4 verses are verses that Mary, Mary and Salome could have sung:
 

Born a King on Bethlehem's plain
      Gold I bring to crown Him again.
      King forever, ceasing never,
      Over us all to reign.

      Frankincense to offer have I,
      Incense holds a deity nigh.
      Prayer and praising, all men raising,
      Worship Him, God on High.

      Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume
      Breathes a life of gathering gloom,
      Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,
      Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
 
      Glorious now behold Him arise,
      King and God and Sacrifice,
      Alleluia, Alleluia
      Earth to heaven replies.

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More devotionals by Barri Cae may be found at www.barricae.com
You may also receive them by email. Inquire at
barricae@comcast.net.

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