John 19:38-42: a reflection

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.

In the aftermath of the crucifixion, two men step forward to care for the body of Jesus, and both had been secret disciples. Joseph of Arimathea, who had followed Jesus quietly for fear of the authorities, boldly asks Pilate for the body. And Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus under cover of night, comes now bringing a costly abundance of spices for the burial. Together they take Jesus' body, wrap it lovingly with the spices, and lay it in a new tomb in a garden nearby.

There is something moving in the timing of their courage. These two had kept their devotion hidden while Jesus lived, afraid of what association with him might cost. But now, at the darkest moment, when following Jesus seemed to have led only to defeat and death, they come out into the open. When the crowds had scattered and the cause looked utterly lost, these formerly secret disciples openly honored their Lord, at real risk to themselves, with tender, costly care.

Their example speaks to anyone who has kept their faith quiet out of fear. Joseph and Nicodemus found their courage precisely when it seemed most costly and least rewarding, at the foot of the cross. Sometimes it is in the hardest, darkest moments that hidden devotion finally comes into the open. If you have kept your faith secret out of fear, let these two draw you out. Do not wait for an easy time to honor Christ openly. And take heart: their tender care of his body was not the end of the story, for the tomb where they laid him would soon be empty.

Lord Jesus, two secret disciples found their courage at the darkest moment, coming out of hiding to honor your body with tender, costly care when the cause looked lost. Where I have kept my faith quiet out of fear, draw me out as they were drawn out. Give me courage to honor you openly, even when it is costly. And thank you that the tomb where they laid you would soon be empty. Amen.