40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 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. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Out of a gratuitous love, we see in our verses for today, Joseph and Nicodemus together tenderly taking our Lord’s body and carefully wrapping it in strips of clean linen on which the profuse preparation of myrrh and aloes had been laid. Service will always be the freely flowing spring pouring forth from a life that is filled with love and devotion.
19 We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
John is the only one of the gospel writers to include Nicodemus’ sizeable offering of spices for the holy work of burying Jesus. His actions are quite the contrast compared to his first timid visit with our Lord in His lodging – coming to question Him under the cloak of darkness – fearful of his comrades. Nicodemus’ actions show his rapid growth in grace, faith, knowledge and courage in a mere three year span. Love surely makes all labors light. This is not to say we will not get tired – remember we are told “the sleep of the laborer is sweet” - yet the action of serving seems light because it is rightly motivated by passion, loving commitment and pleasing the One who freely gave His all for us. We demonstrate our love for Him by loving others.
“If I am inconsiderate about the comfort of others, or their feelings, or even their little weaknesses, if I am careless about their little hurts and miss opportunities to smooth their way; if I have not compassion on my fellow servant, even as my Lord had pity on me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.” Amy Carmichael
Compassionate – tender sympathy, merciful, empathetic, considerate, and kind – believers in Christ are called to constantly clothe themselves in such as these. We are to offer the healing value of a soothing hand, a mutual tear, a sympathizing heart an understanding word. This is what we see here fleshed out in the lives of Joseph and Nicodemus. Selflessly loving with seemingly no apparent gain for themselves and certainly some loss in reputation and standing among their peers for their actions. Paul tells us in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Col 3:12-14 (NIV)
We need to remember this is not to be done in our own strength or we will quickly peter out – flawed flesh will eventually fail us. We will weary from the task; we will become bored or burdened or disgruntled and flee. Agape love is a love born of God not of man; it is God’s love revealed in Christ. It is a love which esteems, cherishes, favors, honors, respects, accepts, prizes and relishes. It comes from above through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within the believer. This love enables us to love the unlovely, forgive the transgressor, “pour out our lives as a drink offering”, serve in danger, live selflessly – without grumbling and complaining – indeed, with much joy (ouch). Flesh simply cannot muster this up and yet we are called to this high calling. If our actions are not motivated with this love they will be found wanting in God’s sight. If we discover ourselves grumbling and complaining over compassionate service to others perhaps we should check our motives. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians:
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Cor 13:1-3 (NIV)
“We need not doubt the love of Christ, when we consider the deep humiliation that Christ went through for our sakes. To tabernacle in our flesh at all, to die after the manner of a man, to allow his holy body to hang naked on a cross, to suffer it to be lifted, handled, carried like a lump of cold clay, and shut up in a dark, silent, solitary tomb – this was indeed love that passeth knowledge.” John Charles Ryle
Lastly we see our protagonists laying our Lord in a new tomb in a garden. The first Adam was expelled from a garden the last Adam brought back. Jesus makes all things new.
“Here lies death itself slain, and the grave conquered. ‘Thanks be to God who gives us the victory.’” Matthew Henry
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Cor 15:56-58 (NIV)