After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of
Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away
the body of Jesus. John 19:38 NKJV
* * *
Here are two Jewish men, one of them Nicodemus, a
Pharisee and the other Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent wealthy council member;
both of them secret disciples of Jesus. On one occasion Nicodemus tried to speak
up at a council meeting by saying, "Does our law judge a man before it hears
him and knows what he is doing?" They ridiculed him by saying, "Are you
also from Galilee? Search and look, for no prophet has arisen out of
Galilee." (John 7:50 - 53)
* * *
After the crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea gathered up
his courage and asked Pilot for Jesus' body. He and Nicodemus - no longer secret
disciples - prepared the body for burial and laid it in Joseph's new tomb -
fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy that Messiah would be buried in a rich man's grave.
(Isaiah 53:9)
* * *
Lord, forgive me when I have been reluctant to speak up
for You among unbelievers. Give me courage and discernment to know when and
where to share my faith.
* * *
And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus
by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred
pounds. John 19:39 NKJV
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