Myrrh is the perfect picture of Jesus. Think about it: precious, fragrant, pleasant to the senses, with power to heal, preserve, and purify. And always, always connected with sacrifice.

But why a bundle of myrrh? Why not just myrrh?

First, for plenty. He is not a single drop—he is a casket full! Not a sprig, not a single flower, but an entire bundle. There is enough in Christ for all my necessities; let me not be slow to avail myself of him.

Our beloved is called a bundle again for variety. In Christ, you don't just find the one thing needful—in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. Everything needful is in him. Take Jesus in his different characters, and you will see a marvelous variety—Prophet, Priest, King, Husband, Friend, Shepherd. Consider him in his life, death, resurrection, ascension, second advent; view him in his virtue, gentleness, courage, self-denial, love, faithfulness, truth, righteousness—everywhere he is a bundle of preciousness.

He is a bundle of myrrh for preservation too—not loose myrrh to be dropped on the floor or trodden on, but myrrh tied up, myrrh to be stored in a casket. We must value him as our best treasure; we must prize his words and his ordinances; and we must keep our thoughts of him and knowledge of him as under lock and key, lest the devil should steal anything from us.

Moreover, Jesus is a bundle of myrrh for speciality—the emblem suggests distinguishing, discriminating grace. From before the foundation of the world, he was set apart for his people; and he gives forth his perfume only to those who understand how to enter into communion with him, to have close dealings with him.

Oh! blessed people whom the Lord has admitted into his secrets, and for whom he sets himself apart. Oh! choice and happy who are thus made to say, "A bundle of myrrh is my beloved to me!"