When Courage Comes Late, But Not Too Late: The Witness of Saint Nicodemus
Reflection for the Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers
There are saints who shine in the daylight, and then there are saints who bloom in the dark.
The Sunday of the Holy Myrrhbearers is often associated – rightly – with the women who came at dawn to anoint the Body of the crucified Christ. Their love was bold, their devotion undeterred. Though the Apostles hid, these women approached the tomb, bearing myrrh and tears. And they were the first to hear the words that changed the universe: “He is not here; He is risen.”
But there is another figure hidden in the shadows of this day – one who also brought myrrh, but whose journey to boldness took longer: Saint Nicodemus.
Nicodemus: From Hesitation to Holy Boldness
Saint John’s Gospel introduces Nicodemus as a respected Pharisee who came to Jesus by night (St. John 3:2). He was cautious, curious — drawn to the truth, yet afraid of the cost. Later, he speaks up mildly in Christ’s defense (John 7:50–51), but again, only in veiled terms.
It’s not until the moment of greatest public disgrace – the death of Jesus on the Cross – that Nicodemus finally acts. He brings a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes, joining Joseph of Arimathea in preparing the Body of Jesus for burial (John 19:39). This was an offering suited for royalty.
Nicodemus, silently and sacrificially, declared: “This is my King.”
Courage Often Comes Quietly
The Gospel does not record a speech.
Nicodemus does not stand before crowds or shout from the rooftops.
But actions, as they say, speak louder than words.
The cost of this offering would have been enormous – socially, financially, even spiritually. In publicly anointing Jesus, Nicodemus was stepping away from the safety of social conformity. He risked his reputation, his position, and perhaps even his life.
And yet — he did what needed to be done.
A Lesson for All of Us
There are moments when all of us are tempted to remain silent.
We know what is true – and yet we hesitate.
We know what is right – and yet we delay.
We fear being misunderstood, rejected, isolated.
Nicodemus reminds us that God is patient – but He is not indifferent.
The time comes for every heart to act.
To declare what we believe – not merely with our lips, but with our lives.
To anoint Christ not with cheap words, but with costly devotion.
Myrrh for the King
Each of us is called to bring our “myrrh”:
- The time we offer in prayer and service.
- The relationships we preserve through honesty.
- The principles we uphold in quiet integrity.
- The sacrifices we make to honor Christ when no one is watching.
It’s not always dramatic.
Sometimes it’s just doing what is right, even when no one else does.
Sometimes it’s showing up – with the ointment, with the tears, with the love.
Final Thought
The world is always full of noise, but holiness often happens in the quiet.
The Myrrhbearers, Joseph, and Nicodemus show us that faithfulness does not require a platform – it requires courage.
May we be counted among those who, even when the world trembles and the tomb seems sealed, still come bearing love.
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
3 May 2025