Savior Buried

Read John 19:38-42

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 gospel story. Nicodemus is the Pharisee who began the discussion that leads to two of Jesus’ most 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.”
    Nicodemus also confessed in
John 3:2 “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” Nicodemus sought Jesus to learn more. Jesus spoke to Nicodemus with new and powerful images of eternal life. Nicodemus wondered about being born again with, “How can this be?” (John 3:9). Then Jesus affirmed, “I am telling you the truth.” (John 3:11)
    Nicodemus must have struggled with the truth for a while. He likely examined what he had been taught. As a Pharisee, he would have studied the Law further. Perhaps he saw the law, the prophets, and then he saw Jesus. He found the Son of God. Perhaps Nicodemus came to believe in his heart that Jesus is, indeed, of God, and Nicodemus was born again.
    So, I wonder what this Pharisee thought as he prepared Jesus’ body for burial. Did he anticipate resurrection? 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? Did the power of his personal encounter with Jesus help him keep his faith in the teacher’s words?
    Jesus is more than we can see. The light of his life goes beyond the broken circumstances of life, even beyond death. Nicodemus – and the world - is about to find out. 
 
Resurrection Truth: Seek Jesus. Trust his words. Be born again.