Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh part 3

Besides being used in the holy anointing oil, Myrrh is mentioned in the book of Esther as oil of myrrh, used as purifying before she would go in to King Ahasuerus. In this book, it appears Esther is symbolic of the church – the Bride of Christ – and the King as Jesus.

Myrrh was also mentioned at the time of Jesus’ suffering and death. As one of the three gifts given to Jesus in honor of His birth, it symbolized Jesus’ supreme love for His people, because of His willingness to suffer and die for His Bride.

"Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27 KJV

In the Song of Solomon, Myrrh is used in describing the love of “my beloved.” Song of Solomon is said to be a love story of God and His people.

When the fullness of time came, God put on flesh to die for His beloved, redeeming her back to Himself from sin and death.

"And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not." - Mark 15:21-23 KJV

Myrrh is also mentioned at Christ’s burial.

"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:38-40 KJV

Nicodemus is the ruler of the Jews that was told by Jesus, You must be born again to see the kingdom of God. (See also: John 7:50-51 John 3:1-21, John 7:50-52, John 19:38-42).

The born again experience is accomplished by repentance, water baptism in Jesus name for the remission of sins, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). This is “obeying the gospel” of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." - Luke 24:46-49 KJV

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV