“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body” – Luke 23:52.

Have you ever stopped to wonder how many mourners at a particular funeral knew the dead person? What is it about death that causes many to identify with the deceased? 

The thought reminds me of the story of a man whom nobody visited during his admission to a hospital. Since he couldn’t pay his bills when discharged, the hospital sent a message to his family that he was dead. In a matter of hours, two buses appeared at the hospital, filled with mourners. The family head stepped forward to claim the body. After he had paid all the bills, the doctors presented their ‘dead’ to him in a living body. You can imagine the drama that ensued after this “presentation.” 

Death has the power of bringing people together like no other. When Jesus died on the cross, two strange men showed up for his body for burial- Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. John tells us that “Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews” (John 19:38). He was a member of the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:50). Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who went to Jesus by night (Jn. 3:1). The two men were secret disciples of Jesus, but when he died, Joseph stepped out boldly and requested for the body of Jesus from Pilate (Lk 23:52), while Nicodemus brought spices for His burial. The two men could not reveal their identities as Jesus’ disciples while He lived, but now they openly identified with Him for His burying (John 19:39-41). But thank God, Jesus did not fake His death, as in the Ghanaian story. He died, got buried, and rose on the morning of the third day (20:1-9). 

Jesus is risen, and that is what we celebrate today. Demons tremble, darkness flees, and death is vanquished. Jesus is alive with everlasting life to give to all who will believe. Do you feel a need for it?

Many people hide their faith in Jesus for various reasons. But whatever your reasons, Jesus is the only Savior (Acts 4:12). You must come clean and confess your faith in Him for your salvation (Rm. 10:9-10). 

So, this Easter season, let the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection bring you out of darkness and into His kingdom of light (1 Peter 2:9b). 

Happy Easter!