Friday 7th April
Read 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 Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about thirty-five kilograms. 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 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. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was near by, they laid Jesus there.” (NIVUK)
Something has already changed in people’s hearts because of Jesus’ death. Two men, unwilling to confess faith in Jesus whilst He was alive, publicly identify with him after his death. A cost that was previously too high, now, when the stakes are even higher, seems small.
The Jewish leaders were unwilling to enter Pilate’s palace in order to pursue Jesus because of the risk of ceremonial uncleanness at Passover (John 18:28). Joseph and Nicodemus rendered themselves unclean and carefully handled and wrapped Jesus’ body. A job normally done by women or slaves was undertaken by men transformed. The events surrounding Jesus’ death, the manner in which he spoke, or perhaps didn’t speak, has transformed them from proud men to humble servants willing to get their hands dirty.
As we reflect on Jesus’ death today do the actions of these previously proud men inspire you also? Does your richest gain now count as loss?
