Sermon nuggets Wed Dec 17
Theme- Jesus’ Burial
Verses- John 19:39,40 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.
Burial shows Commitment as illustrated by Nicodemus.
I think Nicodemus represents the type of Christian who will generally be the hesitant believer. I think he came to saving faith in Christ, and did simple things here and there which indicated he was believer. But it was convenient to keep quiet in some circles and speak up with others. The Gospels repeatedly said there were also some priests and teachers of the law who followed Jesus. I wonder if Nicodemus was a follower out of convenience more than conviction.
This passage reminds us that he was at the cross. He took it upon himself to buy 75 pounds of spices an myrrh and aloes which is enough to bury a king. That was not common for the burial of typical people, but to Nicodemus Jesus was a king. This was symbolic of the Kingdom and the Kingship of Christ.
Even though Nicodemus and Joseph were from the Pharisees party they were willing to do what a good Pharisee was not willing to do. They were willing to touch a dead body-especially before a Sabbath for that would make them unclean. They would have to ceremonially purify themselves and endure a waiting period before they could participate in public worship.
Nicodemus’ commitment is shown by giving. There would be no return on the investments of a tomb or burial clothes, or spices. It was not something they’d get back on income tax breaks. Commitment and concern for others goes hand in hand.
The cross motivated Nicodemus from being an observing Christian to getting committed. It motivated him from being secret to being public. He watched Jesus on the cross commit his life for the salvation of others. He knew with the other miracles that Jesus could have come down, but didn’t. There were some things that this educated teacher did not understand, and it is true today. There are things the wisest and smartest and most trained teachers of our society both liberals and conservatives, both unsaved and saved do not understand. God is beyond our comprehension. Eventually one takes the facts and must exercise faith. That faith may be strong or weak, but there is a time when each person must take what he doesn’t know and give himself or herself to the control and authority of Jesus wherever that may lead.
For Nicodemus it seemed that it was the burial of the Lord and his chance to do the will and work of God Almighty.
I think it was the companionship of Nicodemus that helped Joseph cross the line to publicly identify with Christ. I think it was the encouragement of Joseph that also helpled motivate Nicodemus to take a further step. The good Samaritan was the lesson of loving your neighbor who was in need. Nicodemus saw that love acted out by Jesus Christ. The commitment by the good Samaritan cost him something. There is commitment by Nicodemus which costs him something. Position and riches didn’t mean the same anymore.
Nicodemus saw the original passion of Jesus Christ and was moved to get involved. But getting involved may cost something. He his discovered a new truth which Jesus passed on, Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
He was now free.
Pastor Dale
