As I was reading this morning, I came into a thought that really isn’t a point John is making anywhere, but that just came to mind as I was reading.  Today we see Jesus’ crucifixion, and we see his burial.  It SEEMS like a tragic end to the story...and to everyone there, was the end for Jesus; He was gone.  There aren’t people standing around waiting on the resurrection to happen...it seemed like it was done.  The thing that I found so interesting though was with Jospeh of Arimathea to help in carrying away Jesus’ body so it could be prepared for burial...it is Nicodemus.  John even reminds us in the text today that this is the same Nicodemus that came to Jesus in the dark of night to find answers about His identity back in chapter 3.  It is the same Nicodemus who poked his head up in chapter 7 with a small plea to spare Jesus from judgement as people were starting to try to figure out who He was..evidently the conversation between he and Jesus had left a mark on him.  Now he is even helping to carry Jesus away for burial.

It makes me think.  From what we can tell, Nicodemus is still part of the Jewish leadership, a part of the Pharisees.  At the same time, here he is providing for the same Jesus that was the butt of the Pharisees’ punishment.  Perhaps Nicodemus was what I would call a ‘Sunday Christian’.  He believed, but he wasn’t able to summon the courage to act as if he believed.  He wasn’t able to hand his life over to God for direction.  He believed when it was convenient for him, but was otherwise just an ‘under the radar’ Christian.  I don’t this for sure, I am speculating...but it still gets me thinking about that question that comes up often as I am journaling...and that is this, “If I were on trial, charged with being a Christian...could I be convicted on account of evidence?”  That’s a big question...that’s a powerful and convicting question.

That’s my prayer and meditation today...that I would look upon myself and not feel the guilt and the regret that I am guessing Nicodemus felt when Jesus was dead and gone.  I am guessing Nicodemus was ridden with shame, at least in his own mind, as He knew who Jesus was but didn’t have the courage to follow.  Its my guess that THAT is why here was here with Joseph...he was trying to clean up after his failure of courage.  I pray that isn’t me...that when I look back on my life, that I would see the my faith in action through courage.