Jesus Devotional - Day 27
Day Twenty-Seven
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Risky Business
John 19:31-37(NLT) It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Luke 23:50-56(NLT) Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
Mark 15:42-47(NLT) This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
Matthew 27:57-61(NLT) Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Jesus has died. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies to be left on the cross because the next day was the Sabbath. Some victims of crucifixion could survive for days on the cross. To hasten their death, the soldiers would break the victims' bones so they could no longer pull themselves up to breathe, and they would die within minutes by asphyxiation. John writes that Jesus was already dead, so they pierced His side, and blood and water flowed out. John wants the reader to understand that he witnessed this himself and that his eyewitness account is true. By this, Jesus fulfills the Scripture in that no bone is broken (Exodus 12:46) and that His side is pierced (Zech. 12:10).
What happens next is not just part of the story's dialogue, but essential to fulfilling Scripture. Two secret followers of Jesus, who happen to be members of the Jewish high council, take action. We are introduced to Joseph of Arimathea and are familiar with Nicodemus. Nicodemus is the Jewish leader who came to Jesus at night (because he was afraid) to ask Jesus some questions. During that conversation, Jesus told him: John 3:14-15(NLT) “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”
Nicodemus knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. In John Chapter 7, we see Nicodemus defending Jesus and catches the ire of the other Pharisees. We're not sure when they became followers of Jesus, but we do know they kept it a secret out of fear of the Jewish leaders. They are witnessing all the events of that day, and something changes in these secret believers. Maybe, as they watched Jesus hanging on the cross, His words about being lifted up like Moses lifted the bronze serpent flashed through their minds. Within that hour, these religious leaders—who were highly respected, highly educated, and highly secretive, followers of Jesus, took an enormous risk. They decided to publicly show their love and respect for Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. We know Joseph was wealthy because Matthew mentions it. We also understand that what they did was risky, as Mark indicates. We can probably connect the dots: a dead crucified body, a wealthy man, the governor who ordered the crucifixion, and a request for the body that is supposed to go to the dump. It was more likely a bribe, which wasn’t unusual at the time—if you had enough money, you could bribe the Roman officer in charge of dumping the body.
It was, however, unprecedented to go directly to the person who issued the order. By doing so, both Joseph and Nicodemus demonstrate their love, respect, and complete devotion to Jesus. None of the other disciples even dared to demonstrate this kind of loyalty, except for the women (girls never get enough credit). Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus has already died and asks the Roman officer if it is true. Once it is confirmed, he allows Joseph and Nicodemus to take the body. Amidst all the disappointment, despair, anguish, hopelessness, sorrow, fear, and a sense of regret and loss, two unlikely characters take a risk that will change the world.
John 19:39-40(NLT) “With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.”
John explains that they followed Jewish burial customs. The body was washed, anointed with ointment, and wrapped in linen. John also notes they used seventy-five pounds of ointment, meaning that, by the time they finished, the body would have gained at least a hundred pounds in weight. They wrapped both the head as well as the body, making it impossible for anyone to breathe through all the ointment and bandages. It was a full wrap. Then Joseph used his own family tomb, a new tomb hewed out of rock, and laid Jesus inside, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9(NIV): “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”
Two of the most unlikely heroes: they were willing to risk, ask, or bribe a madman for Jesus’ body. Because of how they handled Jesus’ body, we are certain that He died. The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes—not in a superhero sense, but in a natural-supernatural way. By risking their own lives and reputations, we know Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Are you willing to risk for Jesus’ sake? Are you ready to step up when everyone else is running away? Are you prepared to stand before difficult people and represent Jesus well? Are you willing to risk today so that the “Body of Christ” can be fully prepared? Are you willing to risk so that future generations can know and follow Jesus?
What do you consider to be risky business for the kingdom's sake? Would you take that risk?
Prayer:
Jesus: Real, Relevant, and Radical!
Risky Business
John 19:31-37(NLT) It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. 32 So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. 33 But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. 34 One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. 35 (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.) 36 These things happened in fulfillment of the Scriptures that say, “Not one of his bones will be broken,” 37 and “They will look on the one they pierced.”
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. 39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. 41 The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. 42 And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Luke 23:50-56(NLT) Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin.
Mark 15:42-47(NLT) This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
Matthew 27:57-61(NLT) Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
Jesus has died. The Jewish leaders did not want the bodies to be left on the cross because the next day was the Sabbath. Some victims of crucifixion could survive for days on the cross. To hasten their death, the soldiers would break the victims' bones so they could no longer pull themselves up to breathe, and they would die within minutes by asphyxiation. John writes that Jesus was already dead, so they pierced His side, and blood and water flowed out. John wants the reader to understand that he witnessed this himself and that his eyewitness account is true. By this, Jesus fulfills the Scripture in that no bone is broken (Exodus 12:46) and that His side is pierced (Zech. 12:10).
What happens next is not just part of the story's dialogue, but essential to fulfilling Scripture. Two secret followers of Jesus, who happen to be members of the Jewish high council, take action. We are introduced to Joseph of Arimathea and are familiar with Nicodemus. Nicodemus is the Jewish leader who came to Jesus at night (because he was afraid) to ask Jesus some questions. During that conversation, Jesus told him: John 3:14-15(NLT) “And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.”
Nicodemus knew exactly what Jesus was talking about. In John Chapter 7, we see Nicodemus defending Jesus and catches the ire of the other Pharisees. We're not sure when they became followers of Jesus, but we do know they kept it a secret out of fear of the Jewish leaders. They are witnessing all the events of that day, and something changes in these secret believers. Maybe, as they watched Jesus hanging on the cross, His words about being lifted up like Moses lifted the bronze serpent flashed through their minds. Within that hour, these religious leaders—who were highly respected, highly educated, and highly secretive, followers of Jesus, took an enormous risk. They decided to publicly show their love and respect for Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. We know Joseph was wealthy because Matthew mentions it. We also understand that what they did was risky, as Mark indicates. We can probably connect the dots: a dead crucified body, a wealthy man, the governor who ordered the crucifixion, and a request for the body that is supposed to go to the dump. It was more likely a bribe, which wasn’t unusual at the time—if you had enough money, you could bribe the Roman officer in charge of dumping the body.
It was, however, unprecedented to go directly to the person who issued the order. By doing so, both Joseph and Nicodemus demonstrate their love, respect, and complete devotion to Jesus. None of the other disciples even dared to demonstrate this kind of loyalty, except for the women (girls never get enough credit). Pilate is surprised to hear that Jesus has already died and asks the Roman officer if it is true. Once it is confirmed, he allows Joseph and Nicodemus to take the body. Amidst all the disappointment, despair, anguish, hopelessness, sorrow, fear, and a sense of regret and loss, two unlikely characters take a risk that will change the world.
John 19:39-40(NLT) “With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth.”
John explains that they followed Jewish burial customs. The body was washed, anointed with ointment, and wrapped in linen. John also notes they used seventy-five pounds of ointment, meaning that, by the time they finished, the body would have gained at least a hundred pounds in weight. They wrapped both the head as well as the body, making it impossible for anyone to breathe through all the ointment and bandages. It was a full wrap. Then Joseph used his own family tomb, a new tomb hewed out of rock, and laid Jesus inside, fulfilling Isaiah 53:9(NIV): “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth.”
Two of the most unlikely heroes: they were willing to risk, ask, or bribe a madman for Jesus’ body. Because of how they handled Jesus’ body, we are certain that He died. The Bible is filled with unlikely heroes—not in a superhero sense, but in a natural-supernatural way. By risking their own lives and reputations, we know Jesus died and was raised from the dead. Are you willing to risk for Jesus’ sake? Are you ready to step up when everyone else is running away? Are you prepared to stand before difficult people and represent Jesus well? Are you willing to risk today so that the “Body of Christ” can be fully prepared? Are you willing to risk so that future generations can know and follow Jesus?
What do you consider to be risky business for the kingdom's sake? Would you take that risk?
Prayer:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you so that you can take the necessary risks.
- Pray that the Lord will reveal to you specific areas where you need to take a risk.
- Pray that the Lord grants you boldness to represent Him before others.
- Pray for your fellow believers so that together we can fulfill God’s purpose for us.
Posted in Jesus Devotional