Confession and Expression: Love and Devotion

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. (John 19:38-40)I can only imagine what was going through Joseph and Nicodemus’ minds as they buried Jesus. So much pain, so much sorrow, so many emotions mingled together.Many believe that by this point, these two rich and powerful men were no longer afraid to be associated with Him. It seems they were searching for a way to express and confess their love and devotion—without fear, and in the light.Like them, I want my love and faith to be visible, not hidden or afraid. And if this was their love when they thought He was gone, I can only imagine the boldness they showed when they discovered that Christ was no longer dead.