Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh Part 3 - Myrrh

Myrrh was used in the Old Testament in the holy anointing oil used to anoint the tabernacle and the priests. (Exodus 30:22-31). Jesus spoke of His body as the tabernacle (temple). (John 2:19-21). Jesus is our high priest. (Hebrews 9:11-12). As an antiseptic, myrrh was used in embalming. Myrrh was used to anoint Jesus at His burial.

"There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.” - Matthew 26:7

The Greek word for “ointment” is a root word of the Greek word for “myrrh.”

Jesus said of the woman,

“For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her." - Matthew 26:12-13 KJV

The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-7, Acts 2:38).

"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

This is the same Nicodemus that was a ruler of the Jews that Jesus told he must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. (John 3:1-8).

An observation was made about the hundred-pound weight of myrrh and aloes that Nicodemus brought to embalm Jesus’ body: "The quantity of the balm is extraordinary and exceeds all normal proportions. This is a royal burial."

How fitting the gift of myrrh: Jesus was born King of the Jews, born to die for the sin of the world. Just as the wise men offered Jesus the gift of myrrh at Jesus birth, Nicodemus also offered the gift of myrrh at Jesus death, making sure Jesus had the burial of a King.