John Chapter 19: Verses 38-40 (NIV-UK)
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 thirty-five kilograms. 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 and Nicodemus had been secretly following Jesus because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Now however, it seemed Jesus’ death had also put to death their fears, and they approached Pilate publicly requesting permission to take and bury Jesus’ body. That information would definitely have found its way to the people that they had been so afraid of. That wasn’t important to them anymore. They were willing to be identified with Christ in His death whatever that would mean for them in the future.
Sometimes we may not publicly draw attention to our faith and beliefs, not necessarily because we are worried about what people think. We might just be going about our daily life living it as we should. But there may come a circumstance where we will need to be very public and possibly vocal with our belief. We need to be willing to identify with Jesus, and that means the old us needs to be put to death. If it is, then it is beyond harm. We need instead to be bold and identify with the risen Jesus. And that means we have access to the strength and power of the Holy Spirit that is now available to us.
Joseph and Nicodemus found their liberty through what seemed the direst of situations, but imagine the joy that was to follow. The same is true for us if we are willing to take our stand.
Dear Lord,
I am grateful for the lessons from the change in Nicodemus and Joseph. Thank You for the liberty that comes from being willing to take our stand. Help me to remember that if I ever worry about what people think. May I always identify with Jesus for His glory. Amen.