“And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus… and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.” John 19:38-39
Jesus paid it all! On the cross, He accomplished what no one else could—He bore the weight of our sins, rescued us from eternal judgment, and transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the glorious kingdom of God! This wasn’t a half-hearted gesture. It was a full, sacrificial, love-driven act to redeem you and me. The question is: How are we responding?
In our text today, two men —Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus—stepped out of the shadows. Both men, though they had followed Jesus in secret, His death compelled them to act boldly. Joseph took the risk of approaching Pilate to claim Jesus’ body for burial, while Nicodemus brought costly spices to honour Him. Their actions spoke volumes—they didn’t just say they were disciples; they showed it.
Following Jesus is no casual affair. It demands personal sacrifice! He gave His life for you—will you give Him your time? Your talents? Your resources? Your heart? Genuine discipleship isn’t measured by convenience but by commitment. When you offer your life as a living sacrifice, it rises like a sweet-smelling aroma before God, bringing Him joy and drawing others to His love.
Let’s not be passive Christians content with comfort. Jesus deserves your passion! He deserves your best! He went to the cross with you in mind—what will you do for Him today?
Take a bold step for Jesus this week—serve someone in need, share your faith, devote intentional time in prayer. Let your actions reflect how much you value Him. He gave His all for you—give Him your best!
Lord Jesus, you gave everything for me, holding nothing back. Stir my heart with fresh passion and zeal to serve you with all I have. Let my life be an offering that honours your sacrifice. Teach me to step out boldly, just like Joseph and Nicodemus, living a life that reflects my love for you. I choose today to follow you, no matter the cost. In your precious name, I pray.
Author
kay.alli@legalview.co.uk