What Brings Us to Jesus?

 John 19-21

“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilot for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews…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.”

John 19:38, 39

What was Nicodemus doing at the tomb of Jesus?

The myrrh and aloes used in preparing Christ’s body for burial involved both cost and effort. The negotiation for the body of a convicted criminal before Pilot risked reputation and censure from the Jewish community. Yet, Nicodemus pressed on. Once again Nicodemus sought out Jesus at night, only this time Jesus was dead; yet, the effort was no less risky than at his first meeting. Perhaps motivated by guilt at not doing enough to save Jesus’ life, yet still gripped by fear, Nicodemus prepared Christ’s body for a burial that would not last long. Within a day, the disciples would witness the strips of linen and spices cast aside as Christ rose from death. Nicodemus’ contribution to the story was probably repeated by him in the following years as he became an active part of the Jerusalem Church. Fear and guilt were replaced with faith and love.

Are we serving the Lord with fear and guilt?

Or, have we found the freedom and power of the resurrection?

“Lord Jesus, you are my risen King, for your glory.”