Day 45: Friday, April 14, 2017                  John 19:38-42 (NIV)

“38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [a] 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.”

More often than should be, a homeless veteran or an unaccompanied veteran will be laid to rest at the Central Texas Veterans Cemetery. No family, no close friends; instead, volunteer veterans and members of various veterans’ support groups gather together to give the veteran an appropriate burial of honor. For Christ, it wasn’t His close disciples, friends or even family that arranged or performed his burial. Instead, two members of the Sanhedrin, wealthy men, secret disciples, who had nothing to gain and everything to lose, stepped forward and arranged the burial. It is believed that Joseph even gave his tomb.  It was a new tomb, one that had never been used. Joseph and Nicodemus, secret followers of Christ, showed the respect they had for Christ and His doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross.  They may have also believed that through their actions others would see the strength of their love and follow Christ’s message. So it is for those veterans providing an honorable burial for homeless or unaccompanied veterans. The service to fellow vets is not lessened by the criticism of their homeless unaccompanied status but strengthened to show honor. Unlike Joseph and Nicodemus, we are called to confess Christ to others and show His love to all.

Prayer:  Father give us the strength and courage to profess Your love for all and not be discouraged by the unbelief or criticism of others. Amen.

Contributed by Colleen Smith-Fey