Scripture Daily

Context No. 4296 of 4322 · John

Context · Reflection

John 19:38-42: in context

38After 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. 39Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. 40So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 41Now 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. 42Then, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand), they laid Jesus there.

After the crucifixion, two men step forward to bury Jesus: Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple who had kept it secret for fear, and Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus by night. Now, at the moment of apparent defeat, when open association with the crucified Jesus was dangerous and costly, these two secret disciples come openly, asking for the body, wrapping it with costly spices, and laying it in a tomb. What they had hidden, they now do in the open.

What stands out is the timing and the courage of their coming forward. They had followed Jesus quietly, secretly, out of fear. Yet now, when the cause looked lost and standing with the crucified Jesus was costly, they stepped into the light to honor him. The cross, which scattered others, drew these hidden disciples out of the shadows into open devotion.

Many follow Christ quietly, privately, hesitant to be known, held back by fear of what others might think. Joseph and Nicodemus were such disciples, until the cross moved them to come forward openly, at cost to themselves. Their example asks whether our faith is one we keep hidden or one we are willing to own openly, even when it is costly. And it encourages us that it is never too late to step out of the shadows and honor Christ.

Have I kept my faith hidden out of fear of what others might think, and will I follow the example of Joseph and Nicodemus, who stepped out of the shadows to honor Christ openly when it was dangerous and costly, owning my devotion to him before others rather than keeping it secret?

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