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. John 19:41-42 (Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-52, John 19:38-42)
When Jesus was at the height of His popularity, they were secret believers. In the hour of Jesus’ greatest humiliation, they went boldly public. As members of the very counsel that sentenced Jesus to death, these two men, Joseph of Arimathea, a Jewish ruler and Nicodemus, a pharisee, risked everything when they asked to spare Jesus the indignity of a mass grave.
Their request was honored and they placed Jesus in a tomb, newly prepared for Joseph’s family, but yet unused.
Other believers (women) followed and watched so they would know where Jesus was. The Sabbath was approaching and in accordance with The Law they could not attend to the dead until after the Holy Day of Rest. In the mean time, some of the Chief Priests and Pharisees were worried the believers would steal and hide Jesus’ body and claim a false resurrection. They asked Pilot to order a seal and guard placed on the tomb. He did so, but it didn’t matter. The grave was a place of freedom, not bondage.
Joseph and Nicodemus were discrete, quiet believers, but took center stage at the most sacred moment and place on earth; where assurance of life everlasting began. Love made them brave, and together it was the formula of greatness.
Have a Great Week!
Gretchen