The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in John 19:38-39,
"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. He 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."
We read that following the crucifixion of Jesus, two men asked for his body, prepared it for burial and placed it in a nearby tomb.
One of the men was Joseph of Arimathea. In Luke 23:50-51 we read he was a member of the Council (the Sanhedrin), and that he was "a good and upright man." In Mark 15:43 we read that he was not just a member, but actually a "prominent" member of the Council. As a man who was "waiting for the kingdom of God", he disagreed with the Sanhedrin about their decision and action against Jesus. In Matthew 27:57 we are told he was a rich man, making him, along with Nicodemus, able to provide the expense of preparing Jesus' body for his burial in Joseph's own tomb, Matthew 27:60. John 19:38 says he was a secret disciple of Jesus - secret out of fear of the other leaders.
The other man was Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin. He was the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night that we read of in John 3. Jesus called him "Israel's teacher", John 3:10, and the one to whom Jesus spoke the famous words, "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3.
"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. He 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."
We read that following the crucifixion of Jesus, two men asked for his body, prepared it for burial and placed it in a nearby tomb.
One of the men was Joseph of Arimathea. In Luke 23:50-51 we read he was a member of the Council (the Sanhedrin), and that he was "a good and upright man." In Mark 15:43 we read that he was not just a member, but actually a "prominent" member of the Council. As a man who was "waiting for the kingdom of God", he disagreed with the Sanhedrin about their decision and action against Jesus. In Matthew 27:57 we are told he was a rich man, making him, along with Nicodemus, able to provide the expense of preparing Jesus' body for his burial in Joseph's own tomb, Matthew 27:60. John 19:38 says he was a secret disciple of Jesus - secret out of fear of the other leaders.
The other man was Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin. He was the Pharisee that visited Jesus at night that we read of in John 3. Jesus called him "Israel's teacher", John 3:10, and the one to whom Jesus spoke the famous words, "no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again." John 3:3.
From this we find, contrary to what many think, not all who were Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin were bad people. And, where they were once secret disciples, they now boldly and publicly sought and got Pilate's permission to take Jesus' body for burial.
What brought about their transition from secret disciples to bold disciples? I have to think the events we are told of that took place that day had an incredible impact on them, on many-- and on many yet today.
How about you and me? Are we bold disciples because of the events that took place those days? Are we fearless as opposed to being fearful of family members, coworkers, neighbors? Are we assured and confident?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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