Jesus is writing to a town whose name, Smyrna, is the Greek word for myrrh, and that was the town’s one major industry.
Myrrh always has to do with suffering in Scripture. At Jesus’ birth, He was given three gifts: gold for the King of the Jews, frankincense that spoke of His priesthood, and myrrh for His suffering. When Jesus hung on the cross, He was offered wine mixed with myrrh to dull the pain. And at His burial, He was wrapped with myrrh.
Jesus’ life is characterized by the most potent picture of suffering a citizen of Smyrna could imagine. Jesus’ first lesson to Smyrna, and to us, is that we are called to share in His sufferings. They would suffer. They would have tribulation. They would even die, but Jesus also offers reassurance.
From BAR-2019-03c – Smyrna – The Hope of Jesus (190831AM)
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