Day 175: Secret Christian Friends

John 19:38-42 :

After these things, Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked of Pilate that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission. He came therefore and took away his body. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was a new tomb in which no man had ever yet been laid. Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.

Here we find Nicodemus again. This time, it’s pretty clear that, even though he was one of the religious leaders, he began to believe in Jesus. He was the first person to hear John 3:16. Evidently, Joseph of Arimathaea and he discovered that they shared a common interest in Jesus.

Joseph decided to expose his interest in Jesus by asking for Jesus body to be put in his tomb. Both Joseph and Nicodemus were probably pretty scared about how the others were acting and didn’t want to get in trouble with Jesus, but, it does appear that they came forward at this point.

When under persecution it is really great to find someone who believes the same as you. Not always do we have that luxury. We should still stand for what is right alone. That’s what Jesus was doing.

Some have argued that Jesus might have still been alive, that’s why people say He resurrected. It would be interesting to try to get out of 100 pounds of spices wrapped around you, let alone breathe after being tortured all night. Of course, after that He had to roll a huge stone out of the way too. That would be a miracle, and since we are talking about miracles anyway, I suggest that he actually resurrected like He said.

The fact is, without the resurrection, there isn’t any Christianity. That’s the point. If death still holds us, why should we live for anything but the moment?