Jesus said in John 12:32, “When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.” Jesus wasted no time in doing that. As soon as he died, he drew two men to himself: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
After Jesus died, God stirred the hearts of two men who came to see that half-commitment won’t cut it; King Jesus deserves full honor. You see, up until the time that Jesus died, both Joseph and Nicodemus had been secret disciples. They didn’t want to be seen with Jesus or speak up for him because they feared the other Jewish leaders who hated Jesus and wanted to kill him.
Joseph and Nicodemus had been on the fence when it came to following Christ. But when Jesus died, all that changed. The apostle John tells us in chapter 19, verses 38-42 of his gospel, “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. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 75 pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no on e had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”
We know from the other Gospel writers that this tomb was actually Joseph’s tomb, and that Joseph was a rich man. God used Joseph to fulfill Isaiah’s prophecy that Jesus would be “with a rich man at his death, because he had done no violence, and had not spoken deceitfully” (Isa. 53:9). In addition to being buried in a rich man’s tomb, Jesus was anointed with an immense amount of spices, the aroma of which would have filled the entire area. Jesus died like a criminal but was buried like a King. R. C. Sproul likened it to getting buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors. That’s what Joseph and Nicodemus wanted to do – honor their king. Since they had done so inadequately during their life, they made sure they did so after his death. They realized that half-commitment won’t cut it; King Jesus deserves full honor.
By their actions, Joseph and Nicodemus demonstrated two qualities of devoted disciples:
They identified with Jesus publicly.
They gave to Jesus lavishly.
How do believers identify with Jesus publicly today? Through baptism. Baptism is going public with your faith. It’s how you go on record as being a Christian. After the resurrection, before Jesus ascended to heaven, he commanded his church to baptize disciples. That’s why the church commanded sinners who were turning from their sin and trusting in Christ to be baptized. We see this all throughout the New Testament.
According to the New Testament, an unbaptized Christian is a contradiction in terms. Jesus says, “Why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). If you have put your faith in Christ alone for salvation but have never been baptized, stop being a secret disciple! Go public with your faith!
A fully devoted disciple not only identifies with Jesus publicly, but he also gives to Jesus lavishly. Joseph gave up his own burial plot! Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of spices, which would have cost him a lot!
Jesus said, “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” To find out where your treasure is, look at your bank record, your credit card statement. They’re like spiritual EKGs, detecting whether your heart is healthy or not.
The New Testament teaches that we are to give according to what God has given us. Moreover, we are to give sacrificially; otherwise, we’re not loving Jesus lavishly. Remember, God gave his own Son for you. Don’t give him chump change. And whatever you give, do it joyfully, “for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
Jesus got a burial fit for a King – and God used two men to make it happen. Two men who had been secret disciples. But they came to see that half-commitment won’t cut it; King Jesus deserves full honor.
What about you? Will you go public with your faith? Will you give lavishly to Jesus? Baptism reveals our initial commitment. Our bank statements reveal our ongoing commitment.
Jesus went to the cross for you. To what lengths will you go for him?