Christ Followers, Step Up!

Between the agony of Gethsemane and the sunrise of Easter morning, the courageous actions of two men speak down through the ages. Who are they? Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.

Earlier, these two men hid in the shadows as secret followers of Jesus. But in John 19:38-43, we discover their bold actions. (Please read aloud.)

Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Joseph of Arimathea, previously paralyzed by fear, made a daring public move; he went to Pilate. (Imagine that!) And, Nicodemus, (reference John 3), whose behavior indicates he also wrestled with demons of fear, came forward to help Joseph with the burial preparation.

What stands out?

Joseph and Nicodemus shared a fear. But more importantly, they shared a boldness. By publicly coming forward to care for Jesus’ crucified body, they fully identified themselves with Him.
Joseph and Nicodemus took the initiative to do the right thing, even when the right thing was the hard thing. They made a difference because they made a decision to step out of their fear and step up to meet the need of the Savior.
Joseph and Nicodemus worked together; these men needed the support of the other to accomplish the demanding task that so desperately needed to be done.