What About Myrrh?

Christmas, a time of sharing, loving and gift giving. We are in the season of hunting for those perfect gifts. We roam the mall, the local Walmart, Target or order and excitedly await the Amazon truck.

Gifts.

We often read the Christmas story and highlight the most spectacular parts: Singing angels. “Fear Not” statements. The Star of Bethlehem, and yes, the divine precious baby in the dingy manger. YET, there are some quiet and less compelling items to be had in the excitement. 

Consider, if you will, the Magi (Matthew chapter 2) as they prepare for their trek to find the child to whom the shiny Star belongs. Tradition, (not scripture) says there were three wise men, only because of the three gifts that were given. They are packing, (imagine with me) dividing the supplies list. Then they come to the gift inventory; gold is given to the first, then frankincense handed to another. “Oh yeah” the myrrh is last. How would you like to be handed the myrrh and picture yourself bowing low, head to the floor while you offer to the King of Kings, M-Y-R-R-H (said with an Eeyore deep tone). You may think “Why do I have to carry the white elephant gift?” White elephant it is not. It is one of the triune gifts that are of great value.

Have we thought about these gifts? Scholars are certain the Magi may not have truly known the value of this child, yet their gifts alone speak volumes. The gold, precious and highly valuable (and yes, fit for a King) even so, just following their visit, Joseph is told in a dream to flee to Egypt to protect the young child.  The gold would have funded the venture.

Next, frankincense; a dried ground up tree sap (from the Boswellia tree) was used as incense, which was highly fragrant when burned and it too was costly. And myrrh, what is THAT? Myrrh’s resin (like frankincense) is harvested by making small incisions in the bark of the Commiphora tree, from which the gum oozes out and hardens. While it may just seem like sticky goo at first glance, myrrh has played a divine significant role through man (and God’s) history. 

God is in the details; He does not waste a thing.

Myrrh was found in the divinely prescribed anointing oil for the Tabernacle and the priests (Ex 30:22-30; Lev 8:12; Ps 133:1-3). Found also in the perfumed oil in John chapter 12. Mary took a pint of perfume and poured it on Jesus’ feet—the house filled with the fragrance. The narrative describes the triumphal entry (Palm Sunday) “The next day.” It is safe to say Jesus still smelled quite fragrant from the oil. This being of Jewish telling, in Jewish culture, whilst Jewish people stood on the road as Jesus passed by, they (potentially) smelling the fragrance, resonated the Kingly procession, as they shouted, “Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel (v13).

Interestingly, Mary anoints Jesus’ feet, could it be (just an observation) the anointing of His feet, not His head, was displaying the declared Majesty of God—on earth. His Kingly walk among man, (John 1:14). These uses of myrrh as well as the spices wrapped around His body following His death (John 19:39-40).

Picture at the gift giving, the Christ child, perhaps two in age or younger. Jesus with dark curly hair, possibly pudgy cheeks. At His feet, the Magi place gold, frankincense, and MYRRH. The same anointing oil used to anoint temple priests, now set before Jesus—our High Priest (Hebrews 4:14-16).  The same perfumed myrrh now before small feet—perfume that would one day be poured over a grown man’s feet, those feet that would hang on a cross and be pierced. Myrrh also (in the spices) wrapped around Jesus’ body.  Wrapped. Just. Before. His. Resurrection!

Jesus was also offered wine mixed with myrrh (as was the custom) while on the cross, but He did not take it (Mark 15:23). Scholars believe Jesus refused to drink the mixture, due to its numbing effect. He wanted to be fully aware—fully present in the suffering for mankind. 

Wonderful gift giving.  Gold, frankincense and yes, myrrh.  Christmas, we celebrate Jesus, a child, Who one day, would be the man fulfilling this gift. Myrrh—HOW PROPHETIC.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds” – Hebrews 10:24).

Learn more about the Magi: https://www.gotquestions.org/three-wise-men.html