John 19:38-42

John 19:38-42

 

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 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. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

 

It is amazing to see what happens now that Jesus has died. Joseph of Arimathea, a man we haven’t even heard about until now, asks Pilate for Jesus’ body. What is so interesting about this man is that he had apparently been a disciple of Jesus, but in secret because he feared the Jews. But now we find him approaching the local Roman ruler and asking for Jesus’ body. While he was afraid to be Jesus’ disciple during Jesus’ life, his love for Jesus leads him to cast off his secrecy to make sure that Jesus is properly buried.

 

Not only Joseph, but another secret disciple came to help with Jesus’ burial – Nicodemus! The first time we saw him, he was a confused Jewish religious leader who believed that Jesus had come from God but didn’t understand Jesus’ teaching about eternal life (John 3). The last time we saw him, he was slyly trying to make sure that Jesus had a proper trial without announcing his personal commitment to Jesus (John 7:50). But here he is joining Joseph to bury Jesus—and bringing a hundred pounds of spices for the process!

 

These two secret disciples come and prepare Jesus’ body for burial, then place it in a nearby tomb. Publicly.

 

It almost feels as if they’re too late, doesn’t it? I mean, what’s the point of showing your love for a dead man if you weren’t willing to show your love to Him while He was alive? But God chose to include it in the gospel John wrote, so we know that this is not insignificant. This was the point at which these men chose to be public disciples of Jesus – to demonstrate their full commitment to Him, even though they didn’t expect to reap any benefit from Him.

 

We know now that Jesus did not stay dead, but rose to offer new life to all who believe in Him. Can you imagine what joy these two formerly secret disciples experienced? Although they loved a dead Jesus without expecting any reward, their love has not been forgotten, and their faithfulness in caring for Jesus’ body is known to the One they loved. They have an eternal relationship with Jesus, and they will not lose their reward.

 

Father, thank You for reminding us that it really doesn’t matter how hopeless circumstances seem to be – it is always a good time to express our love for Jesus. And our love for You and for Jesus will always be rewarded – even if we can’t see how. Just help us, Father, to be faithful. In all circumstances. Please help us, because we can be so unfaithful. Thank You for loving us so much, and for giving us all that we need to be faithful to You.