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. 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. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 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. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
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Two men who secretly followed Jesus who end up laying Jesus to rest. Do you ever think that maybe they thought in that moment that they were just a little too late? Like maybe they lived in fear a bit too long and now he was gone? I wonder how many other may feel that same sort of way? They are too far gone…just a bit too late to turn it around? There are many who need to know that it is never too late to begin following Jesus. As long as you have breath grace is offered. As the church, let’s help these people find peace. Let’s help them see that it’s not too late. Joseph and Nicodemus would learn later that maybe they weren’t as late as they thought they were. In fact…they were right on time. It’s not too late…
A Journey With Jesus 