Have a Myrrhy Christmas!
From childhood we have heard the story of the wise men bringing their gifts to Jesus, gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matt. 2:11)
These gifts no doubt provided financial aid for the unplanned trip into Egypt just hours later. Gold recognized the presence of a king for only kings could afford to have this precious metal. Frankincense, as used in the Jewish altar, recognized the perfect, sinless life, that qualified Him to be our Saviour.
But what about myrrh?
"Most resin is obtained by making deliberate incisions with a specially designed tool or ordinary axe, about 2 inches long, into the bark of the tree (see myrrh tree above). The milky liquid that exudes hardens on exposure to air into droplets or ‘tears,’ which are then easily detached by the collector about two weeks later. New tappings are made at the same place as old ones after removing hardened resin from the previous cut. If the tapping interval is short, then a light scratching of the wood is usually sufficient to cause the resin to flow again. The resin is stored for about 12 weeks to harden.” (picture of myrrh ‘tears’) Thus myrrh is the fragrance that comes when the bush responds to a wound.
Myrrh was used two other significant times in Christ’s life. On the cross, he was offered a drink of wine, mingled with myrrh, but refused it. (Mark 15:23) Then a few hours later, Nicodemus and Joseph took the Lord’s body from the cross and wrapped it in a mixture of myrrh and aloes. (John 19:39)
Thus, myrrh played a part in the childhood, death, and burial of Christ. This gift speaks of the suffering and death of Christ on the cross.
But what about His second coming? In Isaiah 60:6 we read, “The multitude of camels shall cover thee, . . . they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.” The lack of myrrh in the future offerings reminds us that Christ the King came as an offering for sin once.
(Heb. 9:26, 28) The Father accepts nothing else. Have you received the one satisfactory offering for your sin in the person of Christ?