“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 75 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.” (John 19:38-40)
It is Friday evening and the Jewish custom states that no one should hang on a tree into the Sabbath which begins at sundown. When looking at the accounts in each Gospel we find that Joseph, a prominent person among the Jews, has “boldly” gone before Pilate to request permission to be responsible for the body of Jesus. He was a member of the Sanhedrin which was the council that condemned Jesus to death although, Luke’s gospel tells us that Joseph had not “consented” with the decision. He is described as a “secret” disciple of Jesus. He is joined in this effort by a Pharisee named Nicodemus who was also one who followed Jesus “under the radar”. Now, however, their fear of exposure and its consequences was overcome with their love and respect for the Savior.
This act of mercy was done for all to see as they received the dead body of Jesus from the soldiers who took Him down. The body was dirty and as they carried it away the precious blood that had been shed for them was smeared on their hands and stained their religious robes. Their feelings for Jesus were not “secret” now. In fact, by touching the dead body they were making themselves unclean and, therefore, unable to participate in the Sabbath events which would occur later. Their faith had now become “inconvenient”.
The other Gospels tell us that a group of devoted women (including Mary, mother of Jesus) were watching this preparation and burial. They had been there all day. They had witnessed the nailing of Jesus to the cross. They had heard Him speak words of forgiveness and mercy. They had watched Him breathe His last breath and now they watch as He is taken down. They could not help Joseph because a woman was not permitted to approach this sacred act or these religious leaders. I wonder what they were thinking as the body of Jesus was washed and wrapped in strips of cloth. Did Mary think of that night when Jesus was born in the stable and she washed His body and wrapped Him in strips of cloth (Luke 2:7)? Maybe she thought of the words spoken by the priest when Jesus was dedicated as a baby, “…and a sword will pierce your own soul too.” (Luke 2:35). Her soul had certainly been “pierced”. This crucifixion was up close and personal.
What about you? In this 39 day (plus 6 Sabbath rests) journey, has the cross of Jesus become a little more up close and personal? Have you been challenged to come out into the open with your faith, like Joseph and Nicodemus? Have you come to understand better that God calls us to a faith that can sometimes be “inconvenient”?