From Secret to Open Faith

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 19:39,40)

Thoughts: Nicodemus was known as the man who visited Jesus at night.  But here he came into the light- out into the very presence of the governor himself.  Some have fussed that Nicodemus didn't come public until after he died.  That would be true if that was the end of the story.  But Jesus is alive, he saw Nicodemus' profession- just as He sees ours.  As long as Nicodemus had breath it was not too late.  Jesus used Nicodemus late profession to help bury him.  This burial is part of the Apostles' Creed- "dead and buried."  But we know, Nicodemus' secret faith was not dead and buried- it came out into the open just as Jesus did.       Today many want to have a private, secret faith.  Nicodemus knew this was not enough- and Jesus told him he must be born again.  He was.  We should be.  

Prayer: Lord, May your love flow from me.  May my desire to hide my faith give way to your resurrection and born-again power.