Joseph buries Jesus

Jesus Buried

John 19:38-42

38 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. 39 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.[a] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At 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. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

We cannot imagine the fear that Joseph and Nicodemus  felt.  Asking Pilate for the body of Jesus.  Oh would that we had the courage of this man!

Jesus was dead.  The disciples were all afraid that they might be persecuted in the same manner.  And Jesus had not yet risen to fulfil the Scripture.  The earth had shaken.  The sun had darkened for three full hours.  People must have really been scared.  The temple curtain had torn in two from top to bottom.  It is really difficult to imagine the tension and fear.

Now this man, Joseph of Arimathea steps up to the plate and asks for the body to bury it.  And he buries Jesus in the tomb that he had purchased for his own use!  Nicodemus aids him and anoints the body with spices and they wrap Jesus in the burial cloths.  They roll a large stone in front of the tomb and leave.  Jesus is dead! And this earth will never be the same again! 

Prayer: Heavenly FATHER grant me the same courage in spreading the gospel as this man Joseph, had.  Grant me the ability to overcome any fear that I may have when I talk to people who do not believe.  I pray this in the Holy Name of Jesus Christ.  My Lord and Saviour.  Amen.

Stay courageously GOD blessed today.