An Intimate Moment with Joseph and Nicodemus

 Jesus is dead. Normally the dead are left on the cross as food for the wild dogs and vultures……a  reminder that crimes against the Roman Empire don’t pay.  The religious leaders have asked that the bodies be taken down before the Sabbath…..before this holiest of holy days….Passover. ….Joseph and Nicodemus….secret disciples….seekers of truth….come to bury Jesus….good and upright men, waiting for the Kingdom of God…. Secret disciples…..fearful of the controversy and the consequences of making their faith public…..but Jesus is dead….and with his death comes a new boldness in their lives…..they ask Pilate for the body….they couldn’t bear to see Jesus tossed into the garbage dump…..they are given permission……Joseph brings the linen….Nicodemus brings the spices…and they come to the cross. They hurry…for sundown is rapidly approaching, waiting to signal the beginning of the Sabbath and Passover.  They are stunned at what they see….the torn and lifeless torn flesh that a few hours ago was a living, breathing human being….the Son of God. Two men…..one a rich and prominent member of the Jewish ruling council…..the other the preeminent teacher in Israel…Israel’s teacher…..both fall on their knees and weep             ….they weep for…

Encountering Jesus

I have encountered Jesus is some strange and unusual places, but none more than those I encountered him a few summers ago. While driving down I-75 on Saturday morning, I was listening to my Father’s Day present from my boys, Toby Keith’s CD “Shockin Yall”. I gotta tell you, I was shocked. In the midst of songs about bars, and soldiers, and Willie Nelson, I heard a song entitled “If I was Jesus”. It’s a catchy tune, but it could have been cats screeching and the message of the song would have been just as clear. The last verse of the song says this: If I was Jesus I’d come back from the dead And I’d walk on some water Just to mess with your head I’d know your dark little secrets I’d look you right in the face And tell you I love you, with amazing grace. And I’d lay my life down for you. I’d show you who’s the boss I’d forgive you and adore you While I was hanging on your cross. Just as strange was my experience at the Pepsi 400 that July. The boys and…