4/4/15- The Burial of Christ

38Later, 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.39He 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.^e 40Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41At 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.42Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19)

Thoughts: Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in every gospel for giving a grave to Jesus.  Later legends had Joseph as the first keeper of the Holy Grail and the first bishop of Great Britain.  But what we have clear early eyewitness testimony is that Joseph, who had before hidden his faith came out of the woodwork to help the dead Jesus.  The amazing thing is that this rich man was willing to risk  not only his grave but his reputation and his whole welfare for a man who was dead and offered him no other help than his teachings.  Today, the grace Joseph gave is one of the holiest and most revered places in the world (The Church of the Holy Sepulcher).  Nicodemus, who was on the Sanhedrin, also came out of the woodwork.  He came to Jesus at dark for fear of the Jews but ends up coming to his cause after his cause appeared to be lost.  Perhaps the greatest verse in the Bible was given in response to Nicodemus- "For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life."  When people are brave enough to take Jesus side even if it seems that side is a lost cause, God blesses them.  Those who cared for the "dead Jesus" were  blessed by the living Christ.

Prayer: Lord, your burial reminds us that you really died.  Help me to always be faithful to you in life and death.