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.

John 19:38-39

As we read of the account of the burial process for Jesus, I am struck by way God used this man Joseph who was too afraid to openly claim and follow Jesus while He was alive. Clearly after witnessing Christ’s death he is now emboldened to step up and lovingly care for his Saviors body! He is risking excommunication, persecution, and violence towards himself, but he will not stay in the background anymore! Whatever may happen to him, from this point on he is 100% sold out to Jesus Christ!

John’s readers would have been familiar with Nicodemus having met him previously in chapter 3 when he came to Jesus by night and when he urged that Jesus be given a fair trial before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). Now he joins Joseph bringing with him the burial herbs and spices that were used in those days for preparing a body for burial. Even though Jesus’ body would not be in that tomb long, it was given the treatment that was due to a respected person. Almost every detail in this passage was predicted in the book of Isaiah. Our God is always true to His Word, every single time!

Righteous Father, I know the Cross was a brutal symbol of being cursed. Yet to me, it is as precious as it is brutal and as beautiful as it was hideous. Through the Cross, you saved me from my sin and showed how much you loved me. Thank you! Please use my life in some small way to glorify you and your indescribable gift at Calvary. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Only by His love and grace, at the cross!