The Garden Tomb and the Fragrance of Myrrh

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

John 19:38-42 

 

Secret mission for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Shush…don’t tell the Pharisees. We want to show respect to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We’ll bury Him in my tomb—in this Garden that is close by. No one has been buried there. (This is the Garden Tomb.) So they laid Him in the tomb and wrapped Him with the burial spices that Nicodemus brought.

 

Were tears in their eyes or streaming down their cheeks? Is it alright for grown men to cry over the loss of a friend—their teacher—their leader? The smell of the spices was soothing. They thought how Jesus would have enjoyed the aroma of the myrrh. Wasn’t myrrh one of the gifts given to Him by the wise men from the east when He was born in Bethlehem? How ironic that it was His first gift…and now, His last gift. It is finished. Jesus is dead. He is buried.

 

RSVP: Jesus is asking you to consider your mission. Is it secret? Does it involve showing respect to Him and telling others of the gift—the gift He has given to you? What is that gift you may ask? Myrrh? No. It is eternal life. How will you respond to Him today?

Prayer ~Dear Jesus…Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your fellows. All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad. Psalms 45:6-8….You alone are worthy to be the ruler of Heaven and earth—and I long to smell the fragrance of myrrh that engulfs You as You are seated on Your throne.

© 2014 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.