The Symbolism of Myrrh: Christ's Suffering and Sacrifice
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound symbolism of the gifts brought to Jesus by the Magi, focusing particularly on myrrh. Myrrh, an aromatic resin, was used for medicinal, aromatic, and ceremonial purposes, including embalming. It foreshadows Christ's suffering and sacrifice, symbolizing His role as the suffering servant who bore our sins. This gift, alongside gold and frankincense, encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission on earth: to be our King, High Priest, and sacrificial Lamb.
We delved into Isaiah 53, a prophetic chapter that vividly describes the suffering of Christ. Isaiah's prophecy, written 700 years before Christ's birth, accurately foretold the Messiah's life and death, underscoring the divine plan for redemption. Jesus' suffering was not just physical but deeply spiritual, as He bore the weight of our sins and shame. His sacrifice was unjust yet willing, highlighting His obedience and love for humanity.
The imagery of sheep was used to illustrate our tendency to stray and our need for a shepherd. Despite our waywardness, Christ, the Good Shepherd, willingly took our place, enduring the punishment we deserved. His death and resurrection bring us freedom and victory, allowing us to stand righteous before God. Through His sacrifice, we are adopted into God's family, becoming co-heirs with Christ.
As we reflect on the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice, we are called to respond with a life of devotion and transformation. Acknowledging His love and suffering should lead us to live lives that reflect His character, laying down our burdens and picking up our cross to follow Him.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Symbolism of Myrrh: Myrrh, a gift from the Magi, symbolizes Christ's suffering and sacrificial role. It was used for embalming, foreshadowing Jesus' death and burial. This gift reminds us of the depth of Christ's love and His willingness to endure suffering for our redemption. [01:10:37]
2. Isaiah's Prophecy: Isaiah 53 prophetically describes the Messiah's suffering, written 700 years before Christ's birth. This prophecy highlights the divine plan for redemption and the accuracy of God's word. It challenges us to recognize the significance of Christ's sacrifice and its fulfillment in Jesus. [01:14:29]
3. The Suffering Servant: Jesus' suffering was both physical and spiritual, as He bore the weight of our sins and shame. His sacrifice was unjust yet willing, demonstrating His obedience and love for humanity. This profound act of love calls us to live lives that honor His sacrifice. [01:22:21]
4. Our Need for a Shepherd: Like sheep, we tend to stray and need a shepherd to guide us. Christ, the Good Shepherd, took our place, enduring the punishment we deserved. His death and resurrection bring us freedom and victory, allowing us to stand righteous before God. [01:26:29]
5. Responding to His Sacrifice: Acknowledging the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice should lead to a transformative response. We are called to lay down our burdens, pick up our cross, and follow Him. This response involves living a life of devotion, reflecting His character, and embracing the freedom and victory He offers. [01:34:27]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:07:10] - Misconceptions of the Nativity
[01:09:16] - The Symbolism of Myrrh
[01:10:37] - Myrrh's Significance in Christ's Life
[01:12:13] - Isaiah 53: Prophecy Fulfilled
[01:14:29] - The Weight of Our Sin
[01:20:13] - The Suffering Servant
[01:22:21] - Our Need for a Shepherd
[01:26:29] - Christ's Willing Sacrifice
[01:30:43] - The Unjust Suffering of Christ
[01:34:27] - Freedom and Victory in Christ
[01:39:17] - Responding to His Sacrifice
[01:48:22] - The Depth of His Love
[01:50:20] - Invitation to Salvation
[01:56:14] - Living a Life of Devotion
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Isaiah 53:4-12
- Matthew 2:10-11
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Observation Questions:
1. What are the three gifts mentioned in Matthew 2:10-11, and what does each symbolize in relation to Jesus' life and mission? [01:09:16]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of harvesting myrrh, and what symbolic connection is made between this process and Jesus' suffering? [01:10:37]
3. According to Isaiah 53:4-6, what did Jesus bear on our behalf, and how is this described in the sermon? [01:22:21]
4. What misconceptions about the nativity scene and the number of wise men does the sermon address? [01:07:10]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the symbolism of myrrh deepen our understanding of Jesus as the suffering servant? How does this symbolism challenge our perception of His sacrifice? [01:12:13]
2. How does Isaiah 53:7-9 illustrate the unjust nature of Jesus' suffering, and what does this reveal about His willingness to endure it? [01:28:24]
3. The sermon mentions that Jesus' suffering was both physical and spiritual. How does this dual aspect of suffering impact our understanding of His sacrifice? [01:20:13]
4. What does the imagery of sheep in Isaiah 53:6 suggest about human nature, and how does this relate to our need for Jesus as our shepherd? [01:24:02]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on the symbolism of myrrh as it relates to Jesus' suffering. How can this understanding influence the way you approach your own struggles and sacrifices? [01:12:13]
2. Isaiah 53:4-6 speaks of Jesus bearing our sorrows and sins. How can acknowledging this truth transform the way you deal with guilt and shame in your life? [01:22:21]
3. The sermon highlights our tendency to stray like sheep. Identify an area in your life where you feel lost or distracted. What steps can you take to seek guidance from Jesus, the Good Shepherd? [01:26:29]
4. Considering the unjust suffering Jesus endured willingly, how can you cultivate a spirit of obedience and willingness in your own life, even in difficult circumstances? [01:28:24]
5. The sermon calls for a transformative response to Jesus' sacrifice. What specific changes can you make in your daily life to reflect His character and love more fully? [01:34:27]
6. Reflect on the idea of being co-heirs with Christ. How does this identity influence your sense of purpose and belonging in God's family? [01:37:28]
7. The sermon ends with a call to lay down burdens and pick up the cross. What burdens are you currently carrying, and how can you begin to lay them down to follow Jesus more closely? [01:56:14]
Devotional
Day 1: The Symbolism of Myrrh: A Foreshadowing of Sacrifice
The gift of myrrh brought by the Magi to Jesus holds profound symbolism, representing Christ's suffering and sacrificial role. Myrrh, an aromatic resin used for embalming, foreshadows Jesus' death and burial, reminding us of the depth of His love and His willingness to endure suffering for our redemption. This gift, alongside gold and frankincense, encapsulates the essence of Jesus' mission on earth: to be our King, High Priest, and sacrificial Lamb. As we reflect on the significance of myrrh, we are reminded of the immense love and sacrifice that Jesus willingly embraced for our salvation. [01:10:37]
"Therefore, I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong, because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors." (Isaiah 53:12, ESV)
Reflection: Consider a time when you have been called to sacrifice for someone else. How can you embrace this opportunity as a reflection of Christ's sacrificial love?
Day 2: Isaiah's Prophecy: The Divine Plan for Redemption
Isaiah 53 prophetically describes the Messiah's suffering, written 700 years before Christ's birth. This prophecy highlights the divine plan for redemption and the accuracy of God's word. It challenges us to recognize the significance of Christ's sacrifice and its fulfillment in Jesus. The detailed description of the suffering servant in Isaiah serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to redeem humanity through Jesus. As we delve into this prophecy, we are invited to marvel at the precision of God's plan and the depth of His love for us. [01:14:29]
"But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5, ESV)
Reflection: How does understanding the fulfillment of prophecy in Jesus' life deepen your trust in God's promises today?
Day 3: The Suffering Servant: Love Beyond Measure
Jesus' suffering was both physical and spiritual, as He bore the weight of our sins and shame. His sacrifice was unjust yet willing, demonstrating His obedience and love for humanity. This profound act of love calls us to live lives that honor His sacrifice. As we contemplate the suffering servant, we are reminded of the immense love that drove Jesus to endure such pain for our sake. His willingness to suffer unjustly for our redemption is a testament to His boundless love and grace. [01:22:21]
"He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth." (Isaiah 53:7, ESV)
Reflection: In what ways can you demonstrate sacrificial love to those around you, following the example of Christ's willingness to suffer for others?
Day 4: Our Need for a Shepherd: Guided by the Good Shepherd
Like sheep, we tend to stray and need a shepherd to guide us. Christ, the Good Shepherd, took our place, enduring the punishment we deserved. His death and resurrection bring us freedom and victory, allowing us to stand righteous before God. As we acknowledge our tendency to wander, we are invited to embrace the guidance and protection of the Good Shepherd, who leads us to paths of righteousness and peace. [01:26:29]
"For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:25, ESV)
Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you feel lost or directionless. How can you invite Jesus, the Good Shepherd, to guide you in this area today?
Day 5: Responding to His Sacrifice: A Life of Devotion
Acknowledging the magnitude of Christ's sacrifice should lead to a transformative response. We are called to lay down our burdens, pick up our cross, and follow Him. This response involves living a life of devotion, reflecting His character, and embracing the freedom and victory He offers. As we reflect on the depth of His love and the cost of our redemption, we are challenged to live lives that honor His sacrifice and embody His love to the world. [01:34:27]
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." (Romans 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can live out your devotion to Christ today, reflecting His character in your interactions with others?
Quotes
Myrrh is an aromatic resin extracted from the sap of a small thorny tree native to Northeast Africa in the Arabian Peninsula. It's been prized since ancient times for its medicinal, aromatic, and ceremonial uses. Myrrh was used as an antiseptic and a painkiller, and most notably for embalming and preparing bodies for burial due to its preservative qualities. [01:10:21] (27 seconds)
In fact, when Jesus was on the cross, the Romans offered him myrrh mixed with sour wine to dull the pain. But Christ rejected that offering because he needed to feel the full weight, of our sin and our shame. Amen. Something that I found really fascinating, and I was figuring out how myrrh was harvested. [01:10:45] (25 seconds)
In a biblical context, myrrh carries deep symbolic significance. It foreshadows Christ's suffering in several ways. As mentioned before, it was the gift that the magi brought Christ as a toddler. Like I said, it was offered to him on the cross to dull his pain. And in the end, it was used to prepare his body for burial. [01:12:13] (25 seconds)
I think that we can get so caught up in the busyness of life, that Christianity, that Christ does not become the head, that he's not at the top of our priority list. And so I think when we read passages like this, we can read over them without realizing the magnitude or the weight. [01:19:47] (27 seconds)
The pain that he felt was not his pain because if the consequence of suffering, sin is death and Christ had no sin, then what killed him? It was our sin. It was our shame. It was our rebellion. And so that really laid on me really heavy this week as I was praying and preparing for this message. [01:20:43] (23 seconds)
We stray like foolish sheep, but Christ is our shepherd. Christ became the perfect lamb. He was the spotless sacrifice, willingly taking on the punishment for our sins. While we wander aimlessly, Christ was led intentionally, knowing that he was born to die. Man, that hits me so hard. [01:27:22] (24 seconds)
He did not deserve it. It was not fair, yet he willingly endured it. Amen? Isaiah 53, seven through nine. He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shears, he did not open his mouth. [01:28:09] (24 seconds)
Imagine Jesus being raised in this household, being told who he is. And in Luke 2, it says that he went to the temple and that he was reading the scripture, that he was in the synagogue and the Old Testament, which Isaiah is in, was being read. Imagine Jesus at 12 years old reading Isaiah 53, knowing how his life would end. [01:29:10] (25 seconds)
While we might allow ourselves to sit in our sin and our shame, Christ's sacrifice provided us freedom and victory. It says, if you read through the Bible, to be holy meant to be set apart, to be uncommon. And the reason that we couldn't be with God was simply because if we were dead in our sin, that we could not be set apart and holy. [01:34:27] (24 seconds)
I think the response to his sacrifice is a life laid down. That we can pick up our cross and we can carry him. We can pick up our cross and carry it and look more like him. I challenge you as you go throughout the week to pray for Jesus. I challenge you to stop, acknowledge, recognize the things in your life that you need to lay down. [01:56:37] (23 seconds)
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