Call Me Marah: The Bitterness That Releases Grace
In Ruth 1:20-21, Naomi utters a deeply poignant statement: “Do not call me Naomi; call me Marah, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord has brought me home again empty.” The name “Naomi” means pleasant, but in her grief, she renames herself Marah, meaning bitter. Naomi’s story resonates with us because we’ve all faced moments when life’s trials have left us feeling emptied and afflicted.
Yet, bitterness—symbolized by Marah and myrrh—carries profound spiritual meaning. Myrrh, with its bitter taste and sweet aroma, points us to a divine truth: in the bitterness of trials, God releases the fragrance of grace. Today, we’ll journey through Scripture to explore the layers of meaning behind myrrh, its connection to Jesus, and how it transforms our experiences of suffering into testimonies of grace.
1. Myrrh: Bitterness and Beauty
The Nature of Myrrh
Myrrh is a thorny, rugged shrub that produces a resin when wounded. This resin, a pale yellow liquid, darkens over time into a valuable substance used for anointing, healing, and worship. Myrrh’s dual nature—bitter to taste yet sweet in aroma—symbolizes the tension between suffering and grace in the life of a believer.
Exodus 30:22-25 describes myrrh as a key ingredient in the holy anointing oil. It was mixed in double measure compared to cinnamon and calamus, signifying the abundant provision of grace needed in the midst of trials. Just as myrrh’s bitterness is transformed into a sweet fragrance, God uses our trials to release the aroma of His grace in our lives.
Reflection: What bitter experiences in your life might God be using to release the fragrance of grace?
2. Naomi’s Journey: From Fullness to Bitterness
The Cry of Marah
When Naomi declared herself “Marah,” she expressed the anguish of her soul. She had left Bethlehem with her family full of hope, only to return years later, bereft of her husband and sons. Her words, “The Almighty has afflicted me,” reflect the raw honesty of grief.
Yet, Naomi’s story didn’t end with bitterness. Ruth’s loyalty and Boaz’s redemption brought restoration and hope, reminding us that even in the darkest seasons, God’s purposes prevail.
Key Lesson: Bitterness is not the end of the story. God uses seasons of affliction to refine us and bring about His redemptive purposes.
3. Myrrh and Grace: A Heavenly Fragrance
Myrrh in the Life of Jesus
The fragrance of myrrh is woven throughout Jesus’ life. In Psalm 45:7-8, we read, “All your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia.” This prophetic verse points to Jesus, whose life, though marked by suffering, released the sweet aroma of grace.
From His birth to His death, myrrh symbolizes Christ’s suffering and sacrifice:
-
Birth: The wise men brought myrrh to Jesus, foreshadowing His suffering and death (Matthew 2:11).
-
Crucifixion: Myrrh was offered to Jesus on the cross as a bitter drink (Mark 15:23).
-
Burial: Jesus’ body was anointed with myrrh after His death, signifying the honor and love of those who followed Him (John 19:39).
Through the bitterness of the cross, Jesus released the fragrance of salvation, offering grace to all who believe.
4. The Bitterness That Transforms Us
The Wilderness of Marah
In Exodus 15:23-25, the Israelites encountered bitter water at Marah. Their immediate response was to grumble, but God turned the bitter water sweet by instructing Moses to throw a piece of wood into it. This act points us to the cross—the wood that transforms the bitterness of sin and suffering into the sweetness of redemption.
Key Lesson: God’s grace doesn’t remove the bitterness of life but transforms it into something that reveals His glory.
5. Grace in Trials: Releasing the Fragrance of Jesus
Our Response to Suffering
The true test of faith is not how we act in times of blessing but how we react in times of trial. James 1:2-4 encourages us to “consider it pure joy” when we face trials because they produce perseverance and maturity.
As myrrh releases its fragrance through wounding, so the trials we endure release the aroma of Christ in our lives. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 2:15, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
Practical Application: Embracing Grace in Suffering
-
Lean on God’s Strength: When trials come, rely on His power, not your own (2 Corinthians 12:9).
-
Seek the Holy Spirit’s Comfort: The Spirit, like the anointing oil containing myrrh, soothes our wounds and strengthens us to endure.
-
Release the Past: Let go of bitterness and trust that God is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28).
6. The Myrrh of Redemption
Jesus’ Sacrifice
Jesus’ life was the ultimate expression of the myrrh of grace. Isaiah 53:3 describes Him as “a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” Yet, through His suffering, He brought salvation to mankind.
The grace that sustained Jesus in His suffering is the same grace available to us. Hebrews 4:16 invites us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing that we will receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
Our Call to Reflect Jesus
As followers of Christ, we are called to rise above bitterness and reflect His grace. Philippians 2:14-15 exhorts us to “do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
Reflection: How can you release the fragrance of Christ in your trials?
7. Living as Vessels of Grace
Equipped to Rise Above
God equips His people to rise above suffering through the Holy Spirit. Just as the anointing oil containing myrrh was used to consecrate priests, the Spirit consecrates us, enabling us to endure trials and reveal His grace.
Romans 5:3-5 reminds us that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. These qualities are the fragrance of myrrh in our lives, testifying to the sufficiency of God’s grace.
The Sweetness of Bitter Myrrh