After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42, NRSV)
The scheduled reading for today is John 18 – John 19:42 the whole scene of Jesus being arrested and put on trial and beaten and crucified.
There is was too much to look at in a simple devotional. So I look at the last part.
Because this portion of John is the third appearance of Nicodemus. First he comes to us under darkness seeking out Jesus in John 3. The He kind of defends Jesus in the Jewish High Council meeting in John 7. And now here helping to remove Jesus’ body from the cross. He went from going to Jesus under darkness so no one could see him and he could hide his search for Jesus. To speaking up for Jesus in the High Council meeting, to publicly displaying his love for this criminal.
That is the truest progression of faith I have ever seen. From seeking to displaying love.
Nicodemus is a model for us all to follow.
aSacredRebel 