The Spice Of Death!
And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus
by night, also came, bringing a mixture of
myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
John 19: 39
The Magi gave Jesus gold, signifying His kingship,
frankincense, signifying His priesthood, and myrrh,
signifying the death Jesus would one day submit to
(Matthew 2:11). At the time they gave gifts to Jesus,
did they know He would die an unusual death?
Did they know
the Old Testament prophecies about
the Messiah dying? We don’t know what they knew.
Providentially
they gave gifts to Jesus that signified
whom He would become: King, Priest, and Savior.
Myrrh was a bitter herb that was used when preparing
the body of a deceased person for burial. Nicodemus
brought a hundred-pound mixture of myrrh and
aloes
with which to prepare Jesus’ body for burial after the
crucifixion. Myrrh had another use—as a sedative,
or pain killer.
Jesus was offered a mix of wine and myrrh
as He hung on the cross to
deaden His pain
“But He did not take it” (Mark 15:23).
Give thanks today that Jesus
“endured the cross” for your
salvation.
"The cross shows the seriousness
of our sin—but it also shows us the
immeasurable love of God."
Billy Graham
