Myrrh Than Wonderful
DECEMBER 19, 2022

All Your garments are scented with myrrh and aloes and cassia, out of the ivory palaces.
Psalm 45: 8

Recommended Reading: John 19:38–42
Our Lord had three encounters with bitter myrrh. In Matthew 2:11, the Wise Men bought it to honor His birth. On the cross, the soldiers offered Jesus wine mingled with myrrh (Mark 15:23). And at Christ’s tomb, Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of myrrh to wrap into His burial clothes (John 19:39).

The gift of myrrh brought to baby Jesus points to our Lord’s suffering on the cross and to His death. For Him, it was a symbol of tragedy; for us, it is a reason for thanksgiving. Oh, how we should constantly remember to thank Christ for all He bore for us.

Our life is so complicated and needy that we’re prone to become self-focused. What would happen if we lived Christ-focused lives, remembering the totality of His redemption? Because He was born and died and rose again, our every need is met in Him. We can shift our focus from ourselves!

His present blessings to us are based on His past suffering. His myrrh brought us mercy! Take a moment of deepest gratitude for deepest grace!

Myrrh was the most unique gift the wise men presented to Christ. Today this gift would be something akin to bringing a coffin as a present for a baby shower.
Ace Collins