After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. -John 19:38-40 NRSV
Again I want to think about those that were there on that day. John tells us that two unexpected disciples showed up to bury Jesus. A man named Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Nicodemus, the Pharisee, brought a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes. How odd that such men would risk so much to publicly identify with Jesus.
I wonder what was going through John's mind as he watched these events unfold. Did he flash back to the words that Jesus shared with Nicodemus, that night so long ago, about being born again? He must have been amazed by the courage of these two men. It reminds me of the unseen secret disciples that impact the world every day.
Thank you Lord for the secret disciples who courageously follow you in the way of love.
... this devotion is part of an ongoing series on the Gospel of John.
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