Last time we talked, God had arranged a witness for Jesus. Today we will be learning from John 19:38-42.
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 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. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Scripture Tells Us
Jesus had died, before he needed to be helped to do so, but now the pressure was on. Remove Jesus from the cross before the Sabbath.
Joseph of Arimathea stepped up. He was a secret disciple of Jesus as his fear of Jews was real. BUT this man, afraid or not, spoke up to Pilate, asking for the body of Jesus so he could bury him.
Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.
Not only that, Nicodemus came along as well, bringing the burial spices they would need.
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
They did what was needed, taking his body and preparing it. Then they placed him in a brand-new tomb that was in the place where he was crucified.
40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 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. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Thinking a Spell
You know, I was surprised when I read those past few verses. I always thought that Joseph had a special plot for Jesus. It’s clear here though, they used what was at hand. An empty tomb that lay in the same garden when Jesus was crucified.
But you know what really hit me? A man, frightened of the Jewish leadership, still a follower of Jesus, this man came. He came out of the woodwork to care for Jesus’ body. He had to talk to Pilate in order to do so. No more being a follower of Jesus in secret.
Not only that, Nicodemus. A man who questioned Jesus late at night, struggled to understand what Jesus was all about. He was the same man who questioned his fellow leadership in John 7: Nicodemus, who had gone to him before, and who was one of them, said to them, 51 “Does our law judge a man without first giving him a hearing and learning what he does?” 52 They replied, “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee.”
Nicodemus didn’t openly follow Jesus, yet when Jesus died he brought the customary spices for burial. Nicodemus, didn’t hide within his position, staying at a distance. Jesus’ death brought him forward.
I see these changes and I have to ask myself… What has Jesus’ death wrought in my life? Do I still hide in the shadows afraid to let others know faith is real? Is my aim to be helpful like Nicodemus? Do I do the work necessary for the sake of my faith (like Joseph in moving the body before the Sabbath)?
Fairly recently, I studied a bit on Nicodemus and Joseph. They had to overcome much to be the men who are known for caring for Jesus after his death on the cross. Joseph had to approach a man in great power and ask a favor of him. And what they brought to prepare the body was very expensive. They gave up so much to be these men YET they did so. They are examples.
oh, I know eh? even without knowing a whole lot about Nicodemus and Joseph their actions speak to whose they are.