John 19: 38-41 NIV
38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.[e] 40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
Joseph and Nicodemus are Jewish men. Rich businessmen and temple leaders.
This was a significant act of courage. It was a high Sabbath. These 2 were known in the community. The businesses and lifestyles were dependent on following Jewish laws.
Numbers 19:11
11 “Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.
Look at verse 40, you see Joseph and Nicodemus touch the dead body of Jesus. This is a statement, “what the Jews believe in not correct anymore. It needs to be updated.
Have you ever try to change a religious mindset?
it could have destroyed Joseph and Nicodemus.
During WW2, the Portuguese ambassador to an occupied French city. Defying orders from Portugal , he issued thousands of visas, saving countless refugees. Including Jews.
When the Portuguese govt found out, the ambassador was fired immediately. This ambassador did a Godly thing and paid for it. This man couldn’t get a job. He couldn’t support his family anymore and died destitute.
His name, Aristides de Sousa Mendes.
A man was asked to broker a peace deal with the Nazi regime to the Allies. The man refused, wanting nothing to do with the Nazis. The Nazis hung the man 2 weeks before the end of the war
His name was Dietrich Bonhoffer.
These men paid for their passions, like Christ paid a price.
Heres what I was once told. “You must give blood for the blood you received.”
God bless!
Called 4 Jesus 