As we approach Easter, every person experiences their own sentiments about the celebration … no matter if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, or not!

Easter and Spring go hand in hand – both all about new life!

Whether it’s the new life of budding trees and peeking flowers, or new life found by those who believe in the death, burial and resurrection of the Savior of the world. All this new life is cause for reflection and most of all a grateful heart.

In reflecting on the journey of Jesus Christ leading up to the cross, I marvel at the way God made aromatic substances such a significant part of the final hours of Christ’s earthly ministry.

Just prior to entering Jerusalem for the last time, Jesus was anointed with spikenard as a way of preparing Him for what He was about to endure.

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. John 12:3

When Jesus was crucified on the cross, witnesses offered Him wine mixed with myrrh as an act of mercy to help alleviate His suffering.

Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it. Mark 15:23

Jesus was actually offered wine two times while on the cross. He refused the first, but took the second. What was the reason?

According to Pastor and Author, David Mathis:

“…the first wine (mixed with myrrh) was designed to dull Jesus’ pain, to keep him from having to endure the cross with full consciousness. This wine he refused.

And the second (sour) wine was given to keep him “conscious for as long as possible,” and thus have the effect of prolonging his pain. This is the wine Jesus drank.”

Jesus would take no shortcuts on the way to our redemption. [Read the entire article here.]

Finally, after Jesus died, His body was taken and prepared for burial with a mixture of myrrh and aloes. Sandalwood was traditionally referred to as “aloes” or “aloewood.” [See reference here]

He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. John 19:39

Please know that these occurrences of using aromatic oils in the Bible pales so greatly in comparison to the message that Christ died and rose again so we would experience forgiveness and new life!

However, it does make me stand in awe that God has not only provided for our salvation, but also for our comfort and well-being in this life.