COSTLY BURIAL

In the apostle John’s gospel we read, “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 seventy-five 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 one had yet been laid.  So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

Both of these men, Joseph and Nicodemus, were high-ranking Jewish religious leaders who had become disciples of Jesus. Following the death of Jesus they wanted to provide the best burial they could. Joseph provided an expensive newly hewn tomb in his private garden. Nicodemus provided seventy-five pounds of the spices myrrh and aloes (sandalwood) not the typical Jewish spices for burial. The cost of the tomb can only be guessed, but very expensive and the spices are estimated in our time to be worth about $150,000-$200,000. Both had great wealth and they also had great admiration for their Master.

A very costly burial for his very costly death.

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead.” Jesus