EASTER 2025
by Brian Mills
Title: Easter 2025
Author: Brian Mills
I want us to look closely at one of the two men who stepped forward at the foot of the Cross when nearly everyone else had stepped away.
When the crowds scattered
the disciples fled
and the religious leaders rejoiced
there were only a few who remained.
The faithful few who stayed near Jesus in His final moments were:
-Mary, His mother - John 19:25
-Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower delivered from seven demons - John 19:25; Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40
-Mary, the wife of Clopas, likely His aunt - John 19:25
-Salome, likely the mother of James and John - Mark 15:40
-And John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved"-the only male disciple at the cross - John 19:26-27
But after Jesus died, 2 unexpected men emerged from the shadows.
Two men...
-who had been silent while the crowds cried, "Give us Barabbas!"
-who had been in the room when the Sanhedrin condemned Him.
-Who had been secret followers of JESUS
There Names...
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
After JESUS' death, these 2 secret followers were the only 2 who publicly asked for His body, prepared it for burial, and laid it in the tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were:
-members of the Sanhedrin,
-secret followers,
-and now becoming bold witnesses.
Today, I want to focus in on one of them-Nicodemus-and ask this question:
How did he come to Jesus?
Let's 1st read the account of Jesus' burial then go back to find how the religious leader, the Pharisee Nicodemus came to JESUS.
John 19: 38-42 [NIV] 38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
Let me teach you something here:
Under Roman law, the body of a crucified man belonged to the state.
Romans typically left bodies on crosses, exposed, to be eaten by birds and animals.
But-associates or family could petition the governor, like Pilate, for the body-as an act of mercy.
Now Jewish law was different. :
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 required that even ...
Author: Brian Mills
I want us to look closely at one of the two men who stepped forward at the foot of the Cross when nearly everyone else had stepped away.
When the crowds scattered
the disciples fled
and the religious leaders rejoiced
there were only a few who remained.
The faithful few who stayed near Jesus in His final moments were:
-Mary, His mother - John 19:25
-Mary Magdalene, a devoted follower delivered from seven demons - John 19:25; Matt. 27:56; Mark 15:40
-Mary, the wife of Clopas, likely His aunt - John 19:25
-Salome, likely the mother of James and John - Mark 15:40
-And John, "the disciple whom Jesus loved"-the only male disciple at the cross - John 19:26-27
But after Jesus died, 2 unexpected men emerged from the shadows.
Two men...
-who had been silent while the crowds cried, "Give us Barabbas!"
-who had been in the room when the Sanhedrin condemned Him.
-Who had been secret followers of JESUS
There Names...
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus
After JESUS' death, these 2 secret followers were the only 2 who publicly asked for His body, prepared it for burial, and laid it in the tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were:
-members of the Sanhedrin,
-secret followers,
-and now becoming bold witnesses.
Today, I want to focus in on one of them-Nicodemus-and ask this question:
How did he come to Jesus?
Let's 1st read the account of Jesus' burial then go back to find how the religious leader, the Pharisee Nicodemus came to JESUS.
John 19: 38-42 [NIV] 38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
Let me teach you something here:
Under Roman law, the body of a crucified man belonged to the state.
Romans typically left bodies on crosses, exposed, to be eaten by birds and animals.
But-associates or family could petition the governor, like Pilate, for the body-as an act of mercy.
Now Jewish law was different. :
Deuteronomy 21:22-23 required that even ...
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