March 31J esus is Buried

John 19:39-40 Nicodemus, who at first had gone to see Jesus at night, went with Joseph, taking with him about one hundred pounds of spices, a mixture of myrrh and aloes.

THIS is the third time John brings Nicodemus into the story. Nicodemus began the discussion that lead to two of Jesus’ often-quoted truths: John 3:3 “no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again.”  and John 3:16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.”
    I wonder what Nicodemus was thinking as he prepared the rabbi’s body for burial. Jesus’ words had spoken to Nicodemus in a new and powerful way. When Nicodemus asked, “How can this be?” (John 3:9) and Jesus responded with, “I am telling you the truth.” (John 3:11) Nicodemus must have struggled with the truth. He must have examined what he had been taught. And being a Pharisee, he would have studied the law further. In his study, he might have read again of the Passover to be reminded of the sacrificed lamb’s blood on the doorposts. Perhaps he read again of God’s instructions to build a tabernacle and then a temple lighted with lampstands to always light the night. Did he understand anew God’s sacrificial laws, requiring the first-born bulls and lambs to be a perfect offering to the Lord? Maybe he read the prophets, and the Spirit birthed his mind anew to understand they had spoken of Jesus.
    Did he put it all together? If he did, Nicodemus found Jesus. He found the Son of God. The questioning Pharisee would have come to faith, to believe in his heart how true and right Jesus’ teachings are.
    So, I wonder what he thought as he prepared his Messiah’s body for burial. Did he anticipate resurrection? Was he wondering about being born again? Was he disappointed and doubting the truth now? Had he lost hope?
    Or, was there, somewhere in his mind, in his heart and in his soul an understanding that this was not the end? Did a light flicker in the darkness? Did the power of his encounter with Jesus give him pause to say, “Let’s see what God will now do”?
    It’s true, isn’t it, that Jesus has more to offer than we can see. The light of his life goes beyond the broken circumstances of life. Jesus is greater than death. Jesus points us to eternal life.
    Nicodemus is about to find out. 
 
Prayer: Lord God, I pray for understanding and knowledge of your Word. I pray I will keep my eyes on your resurrection. In all things I do, Lord, may I know you are alive. Amen.