14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
John 3: 14-15 RSV
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17 RSV
And now, look at them. Mary never wavered in her faithfulness. How could she bear to watch her son die such a horrible death? How did the Master draw Himself from the delirium of pain to commission John with taking care of her?
And here am I, still hiding in the shadows? What is left for me to do?
39 Nicode′mus also, who had at first come to him by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds’ weight. 40 They took the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb where no one had ever been laid. 42 So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, as the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
John19:39-42 RSV
21 But he who does what is true comes to the light, that it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.
John 3:21 RSV
Alice, I have never thought about Nicodemus being a part of the journey to the cross. This is beautiful. And wow, how convicting, considering how often I’ve hidden in fear because of what others might think if they knew my belief in Jesus. I don’t fall into this nearly as often as I once did, but that fear is still there. I appreciate this reminder as we near Easter.
I would like to invite you to share this with the Tell His Story linkup over at my site. I think the readers over there would appreciate your words and insights.
Dear Jeanne, I am so sorry I am just now reading your kind comment, and wonderful invitation! Even though I was unable to link-up this week, I have placed your badge on my new website, bookmarked your page, and put linking up on next week’s to do list. What a wonderful honor to take over such a long-running link-up. I’m trying a lot of new things these days, but that sounds way beyond me. Thank you so much for visiting, and I look forward to returning the favor.
What a wonderful telling of the story of Jesus’ death from a new perspective! It is a good reminder that many of us are “too stubborn and too afraid to listen” at one point or another in our lives. We sometimes feel as though God’s grace and love are too good to be true, but Jesus was sent to fulfill God’s promise to us.
I love writing from different points of view! I think sometimes we can’t see ourselves in the players’ shoes during those eventful days and nights. And you’re right, Laurie, God’s grace and love are too good to be true. Makes me wonder why we limit Him to what we can imagine, instead of trying to stretch to what He imagines for us. Thanks for visiting and sharing your thoughts.
Beautiful! It takes great courage to come out of the shadows, and you’ve portrayed the inner turmoil so well.