Joseph of Arimathea. (Mk.15: 42-47; Jn.19: 38-42; Lk.23: 50-56; Mt.27: 57-61)
Though Joseph hailed from the Jewish town of Arimathea, he resided in the city of Jerusalem. Like any other rich and influential man of the time, he had a private garden outside the city walls of Jerusalem, where he had a new tomb hewn out of rock. It may not have resembled the Pyramids of Egypt, nevertheless it might have been lovely and functional. The Gospels point out that he was a member of the “Council,” (Sanhedrim), “a good and righteous man…looking for the Kingdom of God.” No doubt, Joseph recognized the identity of Jesus. However, he opted to be a secret disciple lest he compromise his public status and, perhaps, jeopardize the mission of his Master.
Immediately after the Crucifixion and death of Jesus, a dramatic transformation came over Joseph of Arimathea – timidity gave way to courage, cowardice to heroism and hesitation to boldness. He shed his fears and went directly to Pilate and sought his body for a decentfuneral lest it be exposed to desecration. Armed with the necessary orders from the Roman Governor, he purchased new linen for the funeral, helped to bring down the body of Jesus from the Cross and had it safely and honourably interred in his own new sepulcher. Jesus amply rewarded Joseph by choosing to rise triumphantly from his garden, nay, from the very tomb the latter had gifted him. According to a legend, after the Crucifixion the “secret” disciple of Jesus became an “open missionary,” who went all the way to Evangelize England. It is narrated that Joseph had carried with him a few drops of his Master’s precious blood in the very sacred chalice that Jesus had used at the Last Supper. This legend is the source of the Holy Grail associated with the Knights of King Arthur and with many other golden fables of the succeeding centuries.
Nicodemus (Jn.3: 1-15; Jn.7: 50-52; Jn.19: 39-42)
As a Pharisee, Nicodemus belonged to a group of pious and religious group of dedicated men, who scrupulously obeyed all the commandments of God. He was a wealthy man and as a member of the Sanhedrim, he was quite influential too. Like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus was a secret disciple of Jesus and visited the Galilean Rabbi in the silence and peaceful calm of the night to hear and imbibe the sublime truths taught by him. Since Nicodemus was a religious scholar, Jesus spoke to him in a mystical fashion that we often fail to grasp fully.
True to his prophecy, when Jesus was lifted upon the Cross, he drew all men unto himself. It all began with the good thief, then the Centurion and immediately thereafter Nicodemus himself. One wonders how this timid man who followed Jesus by night, suddenly transformed himself into a public disciple by broad day light, collected at short notice about 100 pounds of precious ointment, co-operated with others openly to anoint the body of Christ and to give it a dignified burial. This has been his greatest glory in life and the trump card for his entry into heaven. It is believed that he, like Joseph of Arimathea, became a missionary to spread the message of the Gospel.
Reflection: To some extent, we too turn out to be “secret disciples” when we refuse to stand by openly for justice and to the defender of the defensless. We heap dozens of wreaths over a dead body when a single folwer, given with sincerity and love while he was alive, would have made a difference in his life.
Jesus answered: this is the truth I tell you……unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.(Jn.3:5)
