For millennia people have used myrrh in purification treatments because they found it was helpful in healing wounds, dulling pain, and slowing the rate of decay in corpses. Modern scientists have found that myrrh is a very effective anti-bacterial agent, antioxidant and anti-parasitic treatment.
Purity and cleanliness are often used interchangeably in the Bible, but for the sake of today’s reading I want to make a distinction. Myrrh doesn’t cleanse us from sin – only Jesus’ blood can do that.
“The blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.” – 1 John 1:7
“The blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God.” – Heb 9:14
Myrrh represents purification – it helps us to resist contamination. Yesterday we embraced the role of repentance in our preparation for our Bridegroom, turning from our self-centred sin-nature to be wholly faithful to Him. As we confessed our sins in repentance we know He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn 1:9). So we are forgiven, cleansed by the most precious blood of Jesus. Now we need to consciously resist any further contamination – and that’s where the symbolism of myrrh is applied, as we pursue ongoing purity as the Bride of Christ.
Ps 24:3-4 says “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god”
Purity is about faithfulness to God. We belong to Him, not the world. Those with pure hearts do not pursue idols and false gods, but are true to God alone. I’m sure we are all careful not to break the first and second commandments, but just as gold is purified by fire, sometimes God lets our circumstances heat up so that any impurities can be exposed. Lock-down has been a bit like that – what impurities has it exposed? What things have we realised that we were idolising, that we struggled to manage without? Maybe it was simple things like our favourite treat from a local shop, or maybe it was bigger things like being able to spend time with certain people? And where have we turned to for comfort in isolation? Have we found our strength in our relationship with God, spending more time with Him in prayer and in His Word? Or have we turned to comfort eating and Netflix to get us through? Possibly a bit of both – and I’m not saying it to condemn, just to help us examine our own hearts. Just as lockdown has been a kind of purifying furnace, fasting acts in a similar way and will help to expose all of those, and I do believe that is one of the reasons why God has called this fast, asking us to give up our indulgences. Because He is coming for a pure and spotless Bride, and He is looking for our willing response to the process of purification.
Matt 5:8 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God”
Purity gives us access to God. Why is that? Because He is also pure, and cannot be contaminated. As Peter said in 1 Pet 1:14-16, quoting from Lev 11:44
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’.”
We are called to holiness – to be set apart for God, completely. Not partially. Not just on a Sunday. Not just the bits that we don’t mind surrendering. Entirely His: holy, as He is holy. Pure, as He is pure.
Lockdown was imposed on us – we had no choice about it. God did not send Covid19 but He did allow the pressure of isolation to expose our impurities. However we do have a choice with how we respond – and with this fast we are declaring our willing submission to being purified, so God can go deeper still.
So as we surrender to the purification of myrrh today, let us remember that although it can be uncomfortable seeing all of the deep impurities and contaminants being brought to the surface, God is working with us to remove them, so we will be able to see Him more clearly, know Him more truly, and experience His love more deeply.
In the Secret Place 
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