John 19:38-40 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of
Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might
take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and
took away His body. 39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also
came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.
40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the
spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews
It is some short time after Jesus' body has been taken down from the cross.
Jesus has been executed in one of the most public and brutal ways the Roman
law could assign as a criminal sentence. With His death the disciples were
reeling and most were in hiding. The man they believed was the promised
Messiah and they had followed for three years was dead - along with the hope
Jesus had brought.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both members of the Sanhedrin. They
were very likely dissenting votes for conviction at Jesus' trial. That would
have raised the eyebrows of many there. Politically the vote alone would
cost the two men greatly. Now to come to Pilate and claim the body of Jesus
for burial was public statement in support of a cause that had apparently
died with Jesus would cost them further.
Joseph and Nicodemus had decided to honor their teacher with more than just
what would be called a proper burial. Joseph gave Jesus his own tomb and the
quantity of spices brought one commentary I read claims is in the
neighborhood of a royal burial. Politically and financially the two men had
counted the cost in a very public way.
Word would spread a few days later that the tomb was empty and Jesus had
risen from the dead as He had promised. Peter would be restored and Thomas'
doubts would be swept away. The faith that the world counts as foolishness
has been passed like a flame from one heart and life to another through the
years. There is a cost to count. (Luke 25:26). There is a race to win. (1
Cor 9:24) And words of welcome on arriving home that every believer wants to
hear.
Matt 25:23 (NIV) His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant!
You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many
things. Come and share your master's happiness!'
Selah.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
mike.hoskins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.peacewithgod.net
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Victoria E Gilkerson
