Today, on Day 304 of Saints in a Year, we honor Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Saint Nicodemus, two secret disciples whose courage emerged at one of the darkest moments in the Gospel.

Nicodemus first approached Jesus at night and later cautiously defended Him before other religious leaders. Joseph of Arimathea was a respected council member and secret disciple who had been afraid to reveal his faith.

Then Jesus was crucified.

When following Him seemed to offer absolutely nothing in return, Joseph went directly to Pontius Pilate and asked for Christ's body. Nicodemus arrived with an extraordinary quantity of myrrh and aloes.

Together, they prepared Jesus for burial and placed Him in Joseph's new tomb.

They thought they were performing one final act of love.

They had no idea that the tomb they were closing...

would soon be empty.

Scripture

"The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

John 1:5

Thought to Remember

"Joseph of Arimathea... took courage and went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus."

Mark 15:43

Joseph had been afraid before. Scripture doesn't hide that. But eventually, he took courage. Courage doesn't mean fear disappears. It means faith becomes greater than fear.

Prayer

Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Saint Nicodemus, pray for us when fear makes us hide our faith. Give us courage to stand with Jesus when following Him becomes difficult, unpopular, or costly. And when life feels like Good Friday, help us remember that Easter morning is coming.

Saint Joseph of Arimathea and Saint Nicodemus, pray for us. Amen.

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