The Night Visitor's Gift: A Devotional on John 19:39-40
"And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:39-40
In the stillness of the evening, a significant moment unfolds, tinged with sorrow and reverence. John 19:39-40 records the arrival of Nicodemus, a man who had first approached Jesus under the veil of night. In the darkness, he found the light of truth—a revelation that would eventually ignite a change in his life, and ultimately, prompt him to honor God in one of the most profound acts of love.
The verse begins by identifying Nicodemus as the one who came to Jesus by night. This phrase is pregnant with meaning. In the narrative of the New Testament, Nicodemus initially represents the Jewish authorities—those entrenched in the law, hesitant to embrace the radical teachings of Jesus. The night symbolizes not only his secret approach but also his confusion and fear of society's backlash. Yet, amidst the shadows, he found a beacon of hope in Jesus. It is pertinent to remember that in our journey of faith, it is often during our dark nights of doubt or uncertainty that we encounter God most intimately.
As Nicodemus steps into the dawn of a new reality following Christ's crucifixion, he courageously brings a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. This was no trivial offering. The weight of his gift speaks volumes about his conversion—from a timid bystander to a devout follower. Myrrh and aloes, deeply symbolic in their biblical references, allude not only to the burial customs of the Jews but also to the prophetic words that had paved the way to this moment. Myrrh was often used for anointing and embalming, representing suffering and sacrifice; aloes, known for their soothing properties, signify healing and tenderness.
The choice of these spices draws us to reflect on the significance of Jesus’ death. In a world that often celebrates the superficial, Nicodemus’ actions remind us of the weightier matters of the heart. Our gifts to God, whether they be material or spiritual, should be reflective of our understanding of His sacrifice. The act of gathering these spices was more than cultural observance; it was an expression of deep love, reverence, and acknowledgment of Christ’s profound impact on his life.
Then we read how they “took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” This act—winding the body with linen, preparing it for burial—is a deeply intimate moment shared between those who grieved and cherished the life of Jesus. The act of wrapping Him in linen symbolizes their attempt to honor His earthly vessel, while the spices mixed with tears serve as a poignant reminder that with every burial comes the hope of resurrection.
As we meditate on Nicodemus’ act of loyalty and love, we must pause to consider our own responses to the pouring out of God’s grace in our lives. How do we honor God today? In what ways do we show our gratitude for the sacrifice of His Son? Are our offerings reflective of the weight of His love for us? God desires authentic expressions of worship, born from a heart that understands and appreciates the depth of His mercy.
Furthermore, the story of Nicodemus encourages us that it is never too late to step out of the shadows and take a stand for Christ. His transformation shows us that even those who once approached the truth hidden from others can emerge boldly in faith. As we navigate through our own lives, may we embrace the journey from disbelief to affirmation, allowing our experiences with Christ to transform us significantly. Let us bring our finest gifts—our time, our talents, and our hearts—to the Lord, expressing our faith with the same significance and depth that Nicodemus exhibited, forever sharing in the hope that the tomb could not contain our Savior.
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John 19:39-40 Artwork
John 19:39-40 - "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."
"And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:39-40
John 19:40 - "Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury."
John 19:39 - "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight."
1 Corinthians 14:39-40
"Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury." - John 19:40
John 6:39-40 - "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day."
John 7:37-39
John 7:37-39
John 6:40
John 6:40
Ezekiel 40:39 - "¶ And in the porch of the gate were two tables on this side, and two tables on that side, to slay thereon the burnt offering and the sin offering and the trespass offering."
John 1:40 - "One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother."
John 10:40 - "And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode."
John 12:39 - "Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,"
Exodus 39:40 - "The hangings of the court, his pillars, and his sockets, and the hanging for the court gate, his cords, and his pins, and all the vessels of the service of the tabernacle, for the tent of the congregation,"
"And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight." - John 19:39
John 5:40 - "And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life."
John 10:39 - "Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,"
Joshua 19:39 - "This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families, the cities and their villages."
John 7:40 - "¶ Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet."
John 18:40 - "Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber."
Hebrews 11:39-40 - "And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us."
John 5:39 - "¶ Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me."
Joshua 19:40 - "¶ And the seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Dan according to their families."
Psalm 37:39-40 - "But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; He is their strength in time of trouble. And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in Him."
Acts 10:39-40 - "And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly."
Job 39:19-25 – "Do you give the horse its strength or clothe its neck with a flowing mane?"
Job 39:19 - "Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder?"
Acts 19:39 - "But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it shall be determined in a lawful assembly."