The Gift of Myrrh: Jesus as Suffering Servant
Summary
In today's gathering, we explored the profound symbolism behind the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi, focusing particularly on the gift of myrrh. Myrrh, a substance used for embalming, foreshadowed Jesus' role as the suffering servant, the Lamb of God, who was destined to die for the forgiveness of our sins. This gift, along with gold and frankincense, highlighted the multifaceted identity of Jesus as King, High Priest, and Suffering Servant. We delved into the prophecy of Isaiah, written 700 years before Christ, which remarkably predicted the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus. Isaiah's prophecy is akin to predicting a future event with precise details, underscoring the divine orchestration of Jesus' life and mission.
Isaiah 53 paints a vivid picture of humanity's condition, likening us to sheep who have gone astray. This metaphor is not flattering, as sheep are known for being weak, witless, and wayward. Yet, it is in our wandering and weakness that Jesus, the suffering servant, steps in. He bore our sins, was pierced for our transgressions, and through His suffering, we find healing and wholeness. The depth of His sacrifice calls us to a life of complete devotion, recognizing that His love and suffering were for our redemption.
Reflecting on Jesus' journey from the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross, we are reminded of His immense love and the price He paid for our salvation. His crucifixion was not just a historical event but a divine act of love that demands a response from us. Understanding the magnitude of His sacrifice compels us to follow Him wholeheartedly, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and love.
As we approach Christmas, let us remember that it is not just about celebrating the birth of a baby but honoring the Savior who gave His life for us. Jesus' story is one of hope, redemption, and love, and it invites us to share our own stories of transformation and grace with others. Embracing this truth, we are encouraged to live lives that reflect His love and to support one another in our spiritual journeys.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Symbolism of Myrrh: Myrrh, a gift from the Magi, symbolizes Jesus as the suffering servant, foreshadowing His death for our sins. This profound symbolism invites us to reflect on the depth of His sacrifice and the love that led Him to the cross. [31:58]
2. Isaiah's Prophecy: Isaiah's prophecy, written 700 years before Christ, accurately foretold the suffering and mission of Jesus. This divine foresight underscores the intentionality of God's plan for redemption through Jesus. [33:44]
3. Humanity as Sheep: Isaiah compares us to sheep, highlighting our tendency to stray and our need for a shepherd. This metaphor calls us to recognize our weaknesses and the necessity of Jesus' guidance and sacrifice. [34:39]
4. The Suffering Servant: Jesus' journey from Gethsemane to the cross exemplifies His role as the suffering servant. His willingness to endure pain and humiliation for our sake is a testament to His love and calls us to a life of devotion. [37:57]
5. Christmas and the Cross: Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It is a reminder of the hope and redemption He offers, urging us to live lives that honor His love and share His story with others. [47:28]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [28:16] - The Mystery of the Wise Men
- [31:58] - The Gift of Myrrh
- [32:49] - Jesus as the Suffering Servant
- [33:44] - Isaiah's Prophecy
- [34:39] - Humanity as Sheep
- [35:44] - The Nature of Sheep
- [36:45] - Sheep's Waywardness
- [37:57] - The Suffering Servant's Sacrifice
- [47:28] - Christmas and the Cross
- [48:48] - The Good News
- [49:43] - Jesus Understands Our Struggles
- [50:34] - Invitation to Know Jesus
- [51:41] - Prayer of Salvation
- [52:18] - Living for Jesus
- [53:28] - Sharing Your Story
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 53
Observation Questions:
1. What are the three gifts the Magi presented to Jesus, and what does each symbolize? [28:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the nature of sheep, and why is this comparison significant for understanding our spiritual condition? [34:39]
3. What specific role does myrrh play in the symbolism of Jesus' identity and mission? [31:58]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy in the life and mission of Jesus? [33:44]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the gift of myrrh foreshadow Jesus' role as the suffering servant, and how does this deepen our understanding of His sacrifice? [31:58]
2. How does Isaiah's prophecy, written 700 years before Christ, demonstrate the intentionality of God's plan for redemption? [33:44]
3. What does the metaphor of humanity as sheep reveal about our need for Jesus' guidance and sacrifice? [34:39]
4. How does the sermon connect the events from the Garden of Gethsemane to the cross with the concept of Jesus as the suffering servant? [37:57]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the symbolism of myrrh as it relates to Jesus' sacrifice. How does this understanding impact your personal devotion and gratitude towards Him? [31:58]
2. Isaiah compares us to sheep who have gone astray. In what areas of your life do you find yourself wandering, and how can you seek Jesus' guidance to stay on His path? [34:39]
3. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing Jesus' immense love and the price He paid for our salvation. How can you respond to this love in your daily life, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude? [37:57]
4. As Christmas approaches, how can you shift your focus from merely celebrating the birth of Jesus to honoring His sacrifice on the cross? What practical steps can you take to share His story of hope and redemption with others? [47:28]
5. The sermon encourages us to live lives that reflect Jesus' love. Identify one specific way you can demonstrate His love to someone in your community this week. [49:43]
6. How can you use your personal story of transformation and grace to support others in their spiritual journeys? What opportunities do you have to share your story with someone who might benefit from it? [53:28]
7. Consider the depth of Jesus' suffering and love for you. What changes can you make in your life to follow Him more wholeheartedly and unashamedly? [37:57]
Devotional
Day 1: The Symbolism of Myrrh: A Foreshadowing of Sacrifice
The gift of myrrh presented to Jesus by the Magi holds profound significance, symbolizing His role as the suffering servant. Myrrh, commonly used for embalming, foreshadows Jesus' death and the immense sacrifice He would make for humanity's redemption. This gift, alongside gold and frankincense, highlights the multifaceted identity of Jesus as King, High Priest, and Suffering Servant. The depth of His sacrifice calls believers to reflect on the love that led Him to the cross and to live lives of gratitude and devotion in response to His ultimate act of love. [31:58]
Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV): "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed."
Reflection: Consider the significance of myrrh as a symbol of Jesus' sacrifice. How does understanding this symbolism deepen your appreciation for His love and compel you to live a life of gratitude?
Day 2: Isaiah's Prophecy: Divine Foresight and Intentionality
Isaiah's prophecy, written 700 years before Christ, remarkably foretold the suffering and mission of Jesus. This divine foresight underscores the intentionality of God's plan for redemption through Jesus. The prophecy is akin to predicting a future event with precise details, highlighting the divine orchestration of Jesus' life and mission. Understanding this prophecy invites believers to trust in God's sovereign plan and to recognize the intentionality behind Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. [33:44]
Isaiah 46:9-10 (ESV): "Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.'"
Reflection: Reflect on the precision of Isaiah's prophecy. How does this understanding of divine foresight and intentionality impact your trust in God's plan for your life?
Day 3: Humanity as Sheep: Our Need for a Shepherd
Isaiah compares humanity to sheep, highlighting our tendency to stray and our need for a shepherd. This metaphor is not flattering, as sheep are known for being weak, witless, and wayward. Yet, it is in our wandering and weakness that Jesus, the suffering servant, steps in. He bore our sins and through His suffering, we find healing and wholeness. Recognizing our weaknesses and the necessity of Jesus' guidance and sacrifice calls us to rely on Him as our shepherd and to follow His lead in our daily lives. [34:39]
1 Peter 2:25 (ESV): "For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls."
Reflection: In what areas of your life do you find yourself straying like sheep? How can you actively seek Jesus' guidance and embrace Him as your shepherd today?
Day 4: The Suffering Servant: A Call to Devotion
Jesus' journey from Gethsemane to the cross exemplifies His role as the suffering servant. His willingness to endure pain and humiliation for our sake is a testament to His love and calls us to a life of devotion. Reflecting on His immense love and the price He paid for our salvation, believers are compelled to follow Him wholeheartedly, not out of obligation, but out of gratitude and love. This understanding of His sacrifice invites us to live lives that reflect His love and to support one another in our spiritual journeys. [37:57]
Hebrews 12:2 (ESV): "Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God."
Reflection: How does Jesus' journey to the cross inspire you to live a life of devotion? What specific actions can you take today to reflect His love in your interactions with others?
Day 5: Christmas and the Cross: A Celebration of Hope and Redemption
Christmas is a celebration of Jesus' birth and His ultimate sacrifice on the cross. It is a reminder of the hope and redemption He offers, urging believers to live lives that honor His love and share His story with others. As we approach Christmas, it is important to remember that it is not just about celebrating the birth of a baby but honoring the Savior who gave His life for us. Embracing this truth invites us to share our own stories of transformation and grace with others, living lives that reflect His love and supporting one another in our spiritual journeys. [47:28]
Titus 2:11-14 (ESV): "For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works."
Reflection: As you prepare for Christmas, how can you focus on honoring Jesus' sacrifice and sharing His story with others? What specific steps can you take to live a life that reflects His love and hope?
Quotes
So myrrh was used on Jesus after the cross to prepare him for. A burial to help prepare his body to go into the tomb. So scholars agree that myrrh represents Jesus as the suffering servant or the Lamb of God. Say that with me. Jesus is my suffering servant. He is. Jesus is my suffering servant. And he was born to die for the forgiveness of my sins and your sins. [00:32:42] (33 seconds)
Well, you know, that's exactly what Isaiah did. He essentially did the same thing. He prophesied 700 years before Jesus was born. And he gave us, in Isaiah, a detailed account of what the suffering servant would do. And he gave us, in Isaiah, a detailed account of what the suffering servant would do on our behalf. [00:34:13] (17 seconds)
All of us like sheep have strayed away. We have left God's paths to follow our own. So Isaiah says that, hey, we are all like sheep. Now, how many of you know that that's really not a compliment? I mean, it's really not a compliment. You know, if he would have said all of us are like lions or all of us are like eagles, that would have been a compliment. [00:34:58] (23 seconds)
Sheep are known for three things. They're weak. They're witless. And they're wayward. Say they're weak. They're witless. And they're wayward. They're not fast. I mean, so they can't run away. They don't blend in. So, I mean, sheep are defenseless, basically. They don't think for themselves. They just follow the herd. And when one walks away, I promise you one or two will follow no matter where they go. [00:36:23] (31 seconds)
But God laid on the suffering servant the sins of us all verse 7 he was oppressed and treated harshly yet he never said a word he was led like a lamb to the slaughter you ever been hurt you ever been rejected maybe you've never been hurt mistreated overlooked unjustly criticized maybe or misunderstood can i tell you this morning that the suffering servant he understands he understands isaiah said verse 3 he was despised and rejected he was a man of sorrows acquainted with the deepest grief we turned our backs on him and looked the other way he was despised and we didn't care yet it was our weaknesses he didn't care he carried it was our sorrows that weighed him down and we thought his troubles were punished for punishment from god a punishment for his own sins but they weren't but he was pierced for our rebellion he was crushed for our sins he was beaten so we could be whole he was whipped so that we could be healed isaiah was telling us you know what jesus was going to do for us 700 years prior to that time [00:38:32] (80 seconds)
You know when you and I understand the magnitude of his suffering and the depth of Jesus's love for us we'll never say that we'll really never say that when you and I understand what he did for us his declaration of divine love for us the only reasonable thing that you and I can do is wholly completely and unashamedly follow him that's all we can do starting with the garden of Gethsemane a little a little recap of Jesus's life and I'm going to pray for you in the last day starting in the garden this is where Jesus wrestled with God he had told the his disciples to wait there and pray but what did they do yeah they fell asleep you can't blame them you know they were tired it's the middle of the night but they fell asleep and Jesus all alone he cries out to God and he asked him hey is it possible that that this can pass for me you know is is there any possible way father that I don't have to do this and he fell to the ground and he said my soul is overwhelmed with sorrow even to the point of death that's how bad it was and then Judas betrays him then he's arrested falsely accused and sentenced to death by crucifixion he was stripped naked naked for everyone to see publicly humiliated completely if you can imagine that and then the crown with like two inch thorns and he was shot and he was shot and he was shot and he was shot and he was put on his head really hard so that the thorns would would pierce his skin and um and just I mean can you imagine how much that must have hurt him and then the beating began and they just beat him and beat him and beat him to a pulp they whipped him hit him in the face until he was unrecognizable if you were to look at him you wouldn't know who that was [00:40:12] (127 seconds)
And then weak suffering and alone they made him carry his cross all the way to Golgotha so that he could be crucified they took huge nails probably seven eight ten inch nails and they just hammered him through his wrists and through his feet onto the cross and then boom they put that cross into a hole and you know the thud must have just torn his flesh and the only way he could breathe was to kind of lift up on his feet and then he was crucified and then he was put on his feet take a breath and then go back down and all the time going back down would just rip his skin even more he was all alone undoubtedly his shoulders were separated by the time he was dead because of all the weight that he had on it and then slowly in the heat of the day naked and exposed he bore the sin of you and he bore the sin of me turn to your neighbor and say he bore my sin he bore my sin he bore my sin and then the most painful part because God can't look at sin right so his father turned away from his son creation was mocked everything that that was vile and dirty on earth came on to Jesus all at once and the father looked away and Jesus cried out unjustly condemned he was led away no one cared let me read this verse eight unjustly condemned he was led away no one cared that he died without descendants that his life was cut short in midstream handsome well the bible says he may be not a good man but he was a good man and he was a good man not so handsome but that he was uh what does it say that he was uh he wasn't he was like normal looking wasn't real handsome but he was struck down for the rebellion of my people he had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone but he was buried like a criminal he was put in a rich man's grave but it was the lord's good plan to crush him and cause him grief yet when his life is made an offering for sin he will have many descendants he will enjoy a long life and the lord's good plan will prosper in his hand when he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish he will be satisfied and because of his experience my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous for he will bear all their sins verse 12 i will give him the honors of a victorious soldier because he exposed himself to death he was counted among the rebels is there any rebels here have you ever rebelled against christ i'm a rebel i'm not proud of it he was counted among the rebels he understood the rebels he understood the prostitutes he understood the tax collectors he understood the ones that just couldn't help but lie he understood the ones that that didn't have any money that were begging on the street he understood every single sin that mankind has and he took it on himself all at once [00:42:46] (0 seconds)
He was crushed for us he was counted among the rebels he bore the sins of many and then he prayed for the rebels think about it the wise men brought Jesus myrrh it's a fluid that was used for embalming the dead God was foreshadowing what was going to come 700 years prior and you say there's no God oh yeah there's a God and then he'd be murdered for the sins of his people Jesus understood this and he prophesied it himself in Luke chapter 9 when he said this the son of man must suffer many terrible things he said he will be rejected by the elders the leading priests and the teachers of religious law he will be killed but on the third day he will be raised from the dead then he said to the crowd if any one of you wants to be my follower you just get in the jacuzzi because I'm jacuzzi Jesus and I'll give you whatever you want no he didn't he said you got to give up your life just like I gave up my life for you [00:46:09] (73 seconds)
You must give up your own way take up your cross daily and follow me you know it's not about you it's not about me it's about him Christmas Christmas it's about him not so much the little baby even though he was born just like we were it's about the one that willingly gave up his life for you and for me if you could think of everything in your life that you've done wrong and imagine that sin went on him every single one of us how many billion people are in our lives in the world. Every single sin of billions of people went on the Son of God because He loves us. It's not about you. It's not about me. It's about Him. [00:47:03] (95 seconds)
Lord, when we think about all the things that You went through in those 12 hours, we're amazed. Thank You, God. Can you say, thank You, God? Thank You, God. Christmas is about Jesus. It's about the baby, but it's also about the Savior on the cross. Born to die. And then raised again on the third day so that you and I can have hope for the future. Lord, thank You for the hope that You bring whenever You're here. And, Lord, we know You're always here. [00:49:43] (42 seconds)
How can we not give our lives wholly, completely to him? How can we not? I'm talking to myself here, not just you. If you're here today and you don't know Jesus as your savior, you know him as a little baby in the manger. Everybody does. But maybe you don't know him as the son of God. That's who he is. He's the son of God. The almighty God. The son of the creator. [00:51:41] (33 seconds)
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