that rests between my breasts. – Song of Songs 1:13
Anna,
I am speaking to you today, a fictional daughter, who has a name that’s dear to my heart. My Mom always thought it’d be nice to be called Anna. If she could change her name. So precious Anna, draw close. I have something to show you. It’s something I hope you can also smell.
See it here? This small, tightly-bound satchet hanging around my neck? It’s called “Myrrh.” Go ahead, open it. The crystals are beautiful in color, aren’t they? Some call them “tears.” And for good reason.
I will try to be brief. When Jesus died, (the one you love also) my grief was unbearable. A few of us women planned to visit the grave. Mary, the mother of Jesus, could not go. But she gave us a box of Myrrh. It was given to her by some foreign wisdom seekers at Jesus’ birth, along with frankincense and gold. The latter two gifts were used for His purposes earlier…but the myrrh…Mary was holding the myrrh for something really special.
We journeyed before dawn on the 3rd day. Our desire was to heat the crystals, mixed with other spices, and anoint Jesus’ body with the oil. Oh, how we desired to be near him, and to show him our love! Myrrh is commonly used for this purpose, in applying to loved one’s bodies. It’s a fragrant preservative, and helps to slow the decaying process. Why this would matter, I don’t know. Jesus was really dead. We saw it happen with our own eyes.
But what a shock we experienced, when we got to the burial grounds! The massive stone door had been opened! He was gone!
So here is the glorious point, lest I go long with too many details. Jesus indeed rose from the dead, as you know, and showed Himself to us women. He comforted our hearts, and then gave us a mission. It’s a mission I am devoted to – and even now, in speaking to you Anna.
This pouch between my breasts contains some of the myrrh that did not need to be put on Jesus’ body that morning. It always hangs near my heart, reminding me of what He went through. Can you smell it now? If you tasted myrrh, it would be bitter. Heated up with my beating heart, however, it gives off its beautiful scent. And since my heart beats for Christ all the day long – I breathe in a reminder of Him all the day long! ¹
So dear Anna, that’s the sum of the whole – the whole incredible truth of our Beloved Christ, who lives today, and lives in us. As I lay here on my death bed, it’s time to pass this pouch to someone who is worthy to carry it. Go ahead now, take it. Wear it in your hidden place. Hide it in your heart. I pray you smell its fragrance with every breath you take. And I pray that with this reminder, you never lose the passion for Christ you had at the beginning!
Yours truly,
One of Many, Who Loves Him
Always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life of Jesus also may be revealed in our body. – 2 Corinthians 4:10
¹ Of Song of Songs 1:13 Gregory of Nyssa said: “The Lord Himself, having become a balsam of myrrh (in His death) and taken residence in my heart itself, occupies the center of my awareness.”
A beautiful song to pray with, called “Myrrh”:
For More Reading:
1. The Marvel of Myrrh (an extensive, yet still growing study I’m doing on the subject)
2. There She Stands, in the Bittersweetness of Myrrh (Another creative piece on Song 1:3)
3. The First Day of The Rest of Our Lives, by Cheryl McGrath. (another creative story based on the same biblical account)