December 14, 2025

THE GIFT: JESUS IS OUR SACRIFICE

The Magi brought symbolic, prophetic gifts to Jesus: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Last week we looked at frankincense, revealing Jesus as our Great High Priest. He came to mediate so we can live.

In the Bible, Myrrh was used as a burial spice & embalming agent:

John 19:39, “With [Joseph] came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.” (NLT)

Mark 15:23, “They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.” (NLT)

With the gift of myrrh, God was telling us something: Jesus came to __________ so we can live.

John 1:29b, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (NLT)

Jesus didn’t come to offer a lamb—He came to BE the Lamb.

Myrrh is a valuable resin, harvested from a tree that must be cut and wounded repeatedly so that its sap bleeds out. The sap hardens and is literally known as “tears.”

In Isaiah 53, the prophet spoke of the coming Messiah that He would be crushed for our sins, and by His wounds we would be healed.

Isaiah 53:6, “All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the LORD laid on him the sins of us all.” (NLT)

So what do we do with all of this?

1. R__________________ the gift

2. E__________________ the gift

Ephesians 4:1, “Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.” (NLT)

Live in your new calling! Not to pay God back—You can’t. But to honor Him.

3. S__________________ the gift

If the Lamb of God has taken away your sin, you are now a messenger of hope. Someone needs to hear your story. Someone needs to be invited. Someone needs your service.

When the Magi placed myrrh before Jesus, they were unknowingly declaring that Jesus would be our Sacrifice. He came to die so we could live.