The Meaning of Myrrh - All Our Daily Bread Daily Devotionals for 2026

Our Daily Bread - Friday, January 6, 2024
by RBC Ministries

Details

The Meaning of Myrrh

Bible in a Year : Genesis 16-17, Matthew 5:27-48

Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11

Today's Scripture & Insight : Matthew 2:9-13

Today is Epiphany, the day which commemorates the event described by the carol "We Three Kings of Orient Are" when gentile wisemen visited the child Jesus. Yet they weren't kings, they weren't from the Far East (as Orient formerly meant), and it's unlikely there were three of them.

There were, however, three gifts, and the carol considers each. When the magi arrived in Bethlehem, "They opened their treasures and presented [Jesus] with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh" (Matthew 2:11). The gifts symbolize Jesus' mission. Gold represents His role as King. Frankincense, mixed with the incense burned in the sanctuary, speaks of His deity. Myrrh, used to embalm dead bodies, gives us pause.

The fourth verse of the carol says, "Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume / breathes a life of gathering gloom; / sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, / sealed in the stone-cold tomb." We wouldn't write such a scene into the story, but God did. Jesus' death is central to our salvation. Herod even attempted to kill Jesus while He was yet a child (v. 13).

The carol's last verse weaves the three themes together: "Glorious now behold him arise; / King and God and sacrifice." This completes the story of Christmas, inspiring our response: "Alleluia, Alleluia, / sounds through the earth and skies."

By: Tim Gustafson

Reflect & Pray
How do you feel when you ponder the truth that Jesus was born to die for you? How does His resurrection inspire you?

Heavenly Father, may Your Spirit help me live my life in gratitude for Your Son giving His life for me.
The Meaning of Myrrh

More From Our Daily Devotional Archives

Open Heavens
for Thursday, December 5, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

UNCOVERING EVIL

The presence of the supernatural power of God in a church can take that church beyond limits.
It can also uproot the presence of evil in the midst of Gods children. In Acts 5, a couple were uprooted through this. If we are going to sanitise the church, we need the Holy Spirit. Just as we need Him to heal, save...More

Open Heavens
for Sunday, December 15, 2013
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

APPLY THE KEY

Every blessing worth its salt requires a key without which the seeker cannot access it. While some people have never experienced open doors, others once did, but the doors hitherto opened to them have been shut. In

Bible in one year:
Psalm 82-84

Key...More

Open Heavens
for Sunday, January 19, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

HOLINESS & VICTORIOUS LIVING

Once you are living a holy life, it's going to be well with you. You will be able to abide under the shadow of the Almighty God. No harm will come near you because the Almighty God will cover you with His wings according to

Bible in one year:
Colossians 1-4
Psalm 19:1-6

Action...More

Open Heavens
for Friday, September 12, 2014
by Pastor E.A Adeboye

HIS PRESENCE, OUR BLESSING

There are many blessings in the presence of God. This is the key to drawing multitudes to the Lord through His presence in your life. When people notice that God is mightily present in your life, they will seek Him through you. It is not about making noise; it is about the visible and verifiable workings of God....More