The Unusual Disciples
Notes
Transcript
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
In our text this afternoon we are introduced to two men who are unusual disciples of Jesus. They are unusual because they both participate in one of the most memorable events in the Bible.....the burial of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
But not only do they act as a pair of undertakers for Jesus.....they are both Jews that have a relationship with Jesus.
All four Gospels tell us that Joseph of Arimathea....goes to Pilate to ask for the Body of Jesus......According to John and Matthew he was a disciple of Jesus...
Joseph was a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin....the supreme council in charge of Jewish affairs in the Roman Palestine....
The Sanhedrin opposed the teachings of Jesus...
John tells us that Joseph had been keeping the fact that he was a disciple a secret because he feared the Jews.
And what about Nicodemus? Who is Nicodemus?
John is the only gospel in which we learn about Nicodemus .....Jn 3 tells us that Nicodemus comes to Jesus at night to ask Jesus some questions..... because he was curious about His teachings......but didn’t want the other Pharisees to see him interact with Jesus......
Nicodemus calls Jesus... Rabbi....and acknowledges that Jesus came from God........
And even though these two Unusual Disciples of Christ are briefly mentioned in the Bible...... I believe that there are a few things we can glean from their actions......
I believe that the first thing we can learn about these pair of unusual disciples......is that they have courage ......
These unusual disciples come to claim the body of Jesus......from the Romans.....when all of the other disciples that we know about from the Gospels.....were no where to be found.
Joseph shows his true colors after Jesus dies......He is no longer afraid and comes out of hiding.
But here is the irony. When Jesus dies His disciples go into hiding, for fear of the Jews.
But Joseph, who has been fearing the Jews, comes out of hiding.
Matthew.....Peter.....Andrew....James....none of the disciples that we know Jesus called........did not come to claim His body.....
Let me suggest that none of those disciples came to claim His body because they themselves could be called out by the Jews......as a disciple of Christ......and possibly handed over to the Romans to be crucified also......
But we see the courage of Joseph and Nicodemus.....who came forward......to take the body of Jesus and bury Him......
Surely the Sanhedrin council would find out that Joseph came and claimed the body of Jesus....
Joseph had nothing to gain by helping to bury Jesus ... in fact he had everything to lose. I believe he showed courage.....because he could lose his status....his position....his reputation as a Sanhedrin....and his ability to teach....which would affect his income....
His fears could become a reality.....but he showed courage.....and took a stand for Jesus.....
The Unusual Disciples.....
Not only did they show courage....when they came to claim the body of Jesus....
Let me suggest that they also showed care for Jesus.......
The Bible says..........Joseph came and removed his body......and Nicodemus....also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes....weight about a hundred pounds....
This amount of burial spice was usually used to bury kings … which is exactly what Jesus is
It is a response of care to the Saviour who Nicodemus loved.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews......
We see that these unusual disciples......handled and cared for the body of Jesus.......and made sure that it was treated properly....
That is Joseph and Nicodemus.
Two Pharisees putting their reputation on the line to bury Jesus.
Two men willing to show courage and care........and cover the cost of doing so.
Followers of Judaism who have now had a change of heart.
At a critical time.....these unusual disciples took a stand with Jesus ......
It was more important than reputation, position and income – and they knew that Jesus was worthy of it.
It was a choice between the crowd and the cross.....
They showed courage........and care for Jesus.......
