"The Burial of Jesus"

  "Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus' body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who came to Jesus at night. He brought seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus' body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there." (John 19:38-42 NLT) 

  "The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)

 There are certain days when I feel as though I have nothing to say; not that there is anything wrong with that, because those days I tend to listen more to God's heart, avoiding the feelings within my own. This is typically one of those days; I have nothing to offer, not even a simple word of encouragement. 

 If you remember, the night that Nicodemus came to speak to Jesus, he came with a curious mind, hoping to get answers about things he really knew nothing about. Most likely, what drew him to Jesus for some information, was Jesus' manor and authority earlier, when He cased all of the moneychangers out of the Temple. 

 Usually, when you see someone that might do something that is usually forbidden, you tend to wonder how they were given such authority, and how it was they were given such boldness. The Jews in the Temple said, "What sign showest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?" (John 2:18 KJV) To which Jesus answered, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19 KJV)

 I believe that Nicodemus was among those Jews, observing all that Jesus did, and wanting to know how He was so bold to do what He did; let alone, give such a crazy sign, to show His authority to do what He did. That said, I whole-heartedly believe the Nicodemus, as well as Joseph, believed that Jesus was going to rise up in three days, just as He said! 

 Not that it cannot be proven, because I believe that it can; but that it is something that God ordained and made it to happen! He makes things happen, sometimes without people knowing, and then again, because they believe, He allows it to happen through them...

""I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals beneath the forge and makes the weapons of destruction. And I have created the armies that destroy. But in that coming day no weapon turned against you will succeed. You will silence every voice raised up against you. These benefits are enjoyed by the servants of the LORD; their vindication will come from me. I, the LORD, have spoken!"" (Isaiah 54:16-17 NLT)