From: May 31, 2026
“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… Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight” (John 19:38-39 ESV).
John wrote to believers so they would know that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and have life in His name. In this passage, he recorded a remarkable reversal. While Jesus’ closest apostles had fled in fear, two previously secret disciples stepped forward in courage. Joseph of Arimathea had followed Jesus quietly because he feared the Jewish leaders. Nicodemus had first come to Jesus by night, a detail that symbolized his cautious and hidden interest. Yet after Jesus’ crucifixion, both men openly identified themselves with Him at a moment when association with Jesus seemed most dangerous. They risked their reputation, position, and influence by requesting and preparing His body for burial. Their actions also fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the suffering Servant would be buried “with a rich man in his death” (Isaiah 53:9). For the wealthy Joseph buried Jesus in his own new tomb and Nicodemus provided 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes, for his burial, a kingly amount of expensive spices. John showed that genuine faith could no longer remain hidden. The men who had once stood in the shadows stepped into the light at the foot of the cross.
We may admire Jesus privately while hesitating to identify with Him publicly. Fear of rejection, criticism, or loss can tempt us to keep our faith concealed. Joseph and Nicodemus remind us that authentic faith ultimately moves from private admiration to public allegiance. Their courage challenges us to stand openly for Christ, especially when doing so may cost us something. We may not know what became of these two men, but it is difficult to imagine them retreating back into secrecy after this bold act of devotion.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to confess Him openly before others. As Jesus said, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32-33).
PRAYER: Dear Father, forgive us for the times we have hidden our faith out of fear. Give us courage to identify openly with Your Son, regardless of the cost. Help us move from private belief to public obedience and faithful witness. May our lives point others to Christ and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 31, 2025
“When Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his donkey and went off home to his own city. He set his house in order and hanged himself” (2 Samuel 17:23 ESV).
The story of David’s betrayal by Ahithophel foreshadows that of Jesus by Judas. Once a trusted counselor of King David, Ahithophel defected to David’s rebellious son Absalom. But when his advice was ignored in favor of Hushai’s, he saw the tide turning and chose to end his life. His betrayal of David foreshadows Judas Iscariot’s betrayal of Jesus. Both men were close companions. Both betrayed someone they once served. Both ended their lives by hanging.
This pattern of betrayal is not coincidental. When David fled Jerusalem, he crossed the Kidron Valley and climbed the Mount of Olives weeping. On the night of His betrayal, Jesus also crossed the Kidron, praying in anguish on the Mount of Olives in Gethsemane. The parallels remind us that David’s story was always meant to point beyond itself—to Jesus, the true King.
Yet where David was spared and restored, Jesus was condemned and crucified. God did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all (See Rom. 8:32). The Old Testament whispers the gospel on every page, preparing us to see the fulfillment in Christ. But only those with eyes to see and ears to hear will understand.
We must not miss the message. Scripture, from beginning to end, centers on Jesus. The patterns, promises, and prophecies all find their fulfillment in Him. As we read and reflect, we are invited to recognize the greater story unfolding—God’s plan of redemption through His Son. Let us be people who read with eyes open and hearts stirred, pointing others to Jesus in our words, our work, and our worship.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Jesus. Thank You for the whole of Scripture, which reveals Him so clearly. Give us hearts that recognize Your hand in every chapter and lives that reflect the glory of Your Son. May we point to Jesus in all we do today. Give us grace to follow faithfully. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen.
From: May 31, 2024
“But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:34 ESV).
The apostle John, who was the only disciple near the cross when Jesus was crucified, was also the only gospel writer who reported these final details of Christ’s death. Perhaps John made sure to include his eyewitness testimony of the grisly details because of the Gnostic heresy that was already at large by the time of John’s writing.
The Gnostics (From the Greek word “gnōsis,” meaning “knowledge”) believed that they had obtained mystical or secret knowledge of the divine. They saw the material world as inherently evil and only the spiritual as good. Therefore, they rejected the idea that Jesus had actually come in the flesh. And as a result, they rejected that Jesus had truly died on the cross. In their view, “it only appeared” as if Jesus had died (The Gnostic heresy clearly affected Islam’s view of the crucifixion as the Quran uses an almost identical description).
John’s gospel was especially concerned with reporting the diligence of the Roman executioners in confirming Christ’s physical death. He reported the soldier’s spear piercing Christ’s side and the mixture of “blood and water” pouring out. Although John had no awareness of modern medical knowledge, physicians today have noted that a piercing of the pericardium, the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the heart, would’ve resulted in the sight that John witnessed. The blood and water was a sure sign of Christ’s death.
John followed his reporting of the blood and water with a strong declaration that reminds one of a courtroom witness taking an oath to speak the truth. He said, “And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe” (John 19:35).
John wanted to make sure that everyone knew that he had witnessed Christ’s physical death. For if Jesus didn’t die, there would be no redemption, no payment for our sin. And if Jesus didn’t die, there would be no need for his resurrection. But Jesus did die and He was raised. That is the truth that John reported.
And that is the truth that we believe.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we are thankful for John’s eyewitness testimony. More than that, we are thankful for our redemption, which Christ purchased by His blood. Strengthen us to bear witness of the gospel to others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 31, 2023
‘When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And he said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home.’ (John 19:26-27 NLT).
Reading the four gospels together, there are seven last words of Jesus recorded. Anyone’s last words are considered important, so shouldn’t our Lord Jesus’ words be even more so? This is the third of Jesus’ last words from the cross. It is a word of care for his mother and it is particularly poignant. For as the Son of God suffered on the cross, he took time to address the needs of his mother.
“Dear woman, here is your son.” He said, looking down upon his mother. Here, we see Christ’s divine concern expressed. Here hangs the Creator, on a cross made from the tree He created, dying for those who have rebelled against Him, yet also taking care of the “woman” whom He had chosen to be His mother. God had chosen Mary to be Christ’s mother, that He might become flesh and die for us. He wanted Mary to see beyond her role as mother and he as her son. He wanted her to believe in Him as Savior!
“Here is your mother!” He told his disciple, John. He gave charge of His mother to him. And John was faithful to His call. Yet, this relational calling implies more. John was called to care for Mary as his mother because they both believed in Jesus as Savior and Lord. She was indeed as a mother to John. This is the relational calling of those who belong to Christ.
Have you ever wondered whether God cares? Especially asking, “Does God care for me?” In this third word from the cross, we can see how much God cares for us. He cares for the big stuff and He cares for the little stuff too. There’s no detail too small for His loving care.
PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Your care for us. For You care about the details, both great and small. You cared enough for Mary to not only die for her sins, but to make arrangements for her care. What intimate love You have for us. What relational love You have offered to us through Jesus! Now we ask You to fill us with Your love and care that we might share it with others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
From: May 31, 2016
The final words of Jesus on the cross were not words of defeat, but of ultimate victory. He shouted, “It is finished!” His last words expressed exultation at accomplishing the task He had come to complete. In the Greek, it is one word: Τετέλεσται (Tetelestai), which is in the perfect tense. The basic thought of the perfect tense is that the progress of an action has been completed and the results of the action are continuing on, in full effect. In other words, the progress of the action has reached its culmination and the finished results are now in existence. It might also be translated: “fulfilled, accomplished, paid-in-full.” Essentially, Jesus, with this one word, “tetelestai,” announced that He had accomplished His God-given mission, fulfilling every prophetic detail, and paid-in-full the price for our sins, so that we might be forgiven and receive eternal life. His salvation work is complete and its finished results are even now in existence for those who would believe on Him.