Daily Devotional Saturday 11th April 2020
by William MoodyJohn 19:38–42
Jesus Is Buried
38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus1 by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds2 in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Footnotes
[1] 19:39
Greek him
[2] 19:39Greek one hundred litras; a litra (or Roman pound) was equal to about 11 1/2 ounces or 327 grams (ESV)
Joseph was a secret disciple and now along with Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night, make their profession known as they ask for Jesus’ body and have it buried (v38-40).
There was little they could do for Jesus but they could do this intimate and loving action of caring for His body. They don’t this half-heartedly but extravagantly as they use spices which weigh 75 pounds.
Today we show are care for Christ by caring for His body the church. We must do this not half-heartedly but extravagantly. Our service should not be the least that our conscience allows us to get away.
The spices that Nicodemus brought would have brought a sweet fragrance to Christ’s body and we’re called to bring a sweet fragrance into the church of Christ by imitating the love of Christ for others.
Do you bring a sweet fragrance into the body of Christ by your attitude, words and actions? Take time to think seriously and pray about this.
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