“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. 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. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.”
Joseph of Aramathea was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. We know he was a wealthy man. To have his own hand-hewn tomb in a garden also illustrates his wealth, helps us know that he was a man of means.
One reason that Scriptures talks about Joseph is to show the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”
Joseph came on the scene by no accident. Jesus’ family would not have the money for a tomb.
The text says Joseph was a secret believer because he feared the Jews. Joseph would have been disowned by his own people and his standing as a leader of the group that just condemned Jesus would have also rejected Joseph, so he kept his faith quiet.
That is one main reason some Christians today don’t want to be public about their faith. Nicodemus’ commitment is shown by giving. Commitment and concern for others goes hand in hand.
Nicodemus and Joseph were willing to touch a dead body-especially before a Sabbath for that would make them unclean. They would have to ceremonially purify themselves and endure a waiting period before they could participate in public worship.
The cross moved Nicodemus from being an observing Christian to getting committed. God is beyond our comprehension. Eventually one takes the facts and must exercise faith.
The most important decision you will make in this life is not who you will marry, or where you will live, or what kind of job you will have. 🤔The most important decision you will make in this life is whether to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, for in the death and in the burial it is completed. It is finished. There is nothing else other than accepting it. Certainly, we will speak of the resurrection of Christ, but in His death, He bought your soul. If you haven’t prayed to receive Christ to be your savior and forgive you of all your sins do so today.
Application: Do these words penetrate your heart? Talk with someone you know who is a believer about it.
Prayer: Father God, even though I am a sinner, I can rejoice that you have removed my sin as far as the east is from the west through the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. Reign in my life, Lord. Move me from an observing Christian to a committed believer.
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