CHRIST'S BURIAL
"Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and THAT HE WAS BURIED, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" - 1 Cor 15:1-4

Devotion 8 of 14

SECRET DISCIPLES SURFACE
      The burial of our Lord occasioned the revelation of certain secret disciples of Jesus. Their love of Him is displayed in the manner in which they reacted to His death. We would not have known of the commitment of these individuals to Jesus apart from His burial. All others forsook the Lord when He died--these men did not! His burial provided an occasion for their hearts to be made known. What precious sensitivity!

Joseph of Arimathaea
      "When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple" (Matt 27:57). "Joseph of  Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus" (Mark 15:43). "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus" (John  19:38).

      What wonderful traits are revealed in this man. he was a rich man, yet did not allow his riches keep him from waiting for the kingdom of God. He was also an "honorable counselor," devoted up uprightness. Convinced of the coming reign of righteousness, he waited for the Kingdom, associating it with Jesus Christ. Not fearing a politician noted for abusing the Jews (Luke 13:1), he boldly requested the body of Jesus. Although he feared the Jews initially, the death of Christ ended his timidity. The Holy Spirit has associated this Joseph with the burial of Jesus.

Nicodemus
      Accounts of Nicodemus are found at the opening and closing of the Gospel of Christ. In both instances, He is favorably identified with the Lord. "And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury" (John 19:39-40).

     Joining with Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus prepared the body of Jesus for burial. The "manner of the Jews" was chosen rather than that of the Romans, or other Gentiles. Thank God they had not bought into the heathen practice of  cremation! Although some see the matter of disposing of the body as inconsequential, these men did not--and the record of their deed is found in the very Word of God. Note, Nicodemus made a personal investment for the occasion, bringing nearly 75 pounds of spices (NIV). The Spirit does not upbraid him for having an inordinate attraction to the body of Christ, but includes his gracious  deed in the Gospel. From cruel crucifixion to considerate preparation--the body of Jesus provided a means of identifying who hated Jesus and who loved Him!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for the record of Joseph and Nicodemus. May You be honored by my devotion to a risen and enthroned Jesus, even more than in their attention to His vacated body. In Jesus' name, may I spare no effort of expense in showing Him honor.

-- TOMORROW: THE FAITHFUL WOMEN --