For Love John
19:38–42
Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. John 19:38

Will not love generated at the cross draw you to Christ?

It was obviously the death of Christ that brought cowardly Joseph and weak Nicodemus from their places of hiding. Much to their shame, during the days of his ministry, they had failed to profess Christ openly. But in his death—when even the other, bolder disciples had fled—these came forward, touched by the loving sacrifice that Jesus made for our salvation. They awoke to their cowardice—and to God’s love. They were not necessarily believers. Guilty consciences have done as much on similar occasions. But the death of Christ obviously awakened something within them, and they seemed willing at last to identify themselves as his followers.

God can do that with you, if you will but look on Christ’s passion. The Bible says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). It is in Christ’s death that we see God’s love. Does that not move you? You may have held back before, hardly knowing whether you were a true believer or not. But you can come forward. He died for you. He paid the price for your sin. He bore the anguish of the cross for your salvation. How can you fail to love him? If you love him, how can you fail to confess him?

I will give you one more incentive. Notice that in his burial Jesus is already taking the first step toward the exaltation at God’s right hand that is now his, from which he shall come forth in power at the end of the age. There was a true day of the jackal when men cursed and laughed and hated and spit upon him. There was a day of humiliation, but that day is now past. It ended with his death. Now even in his burial he is attended with love as those who have the means to care for his body and bury him honorably wait upon him. It was prophesied. Isaiah tells us that, although he was to die in the company of the wicked, “[they would make] his grave with the wicked and with a rich man in his death” (Isa. 53:9). Besides, this is now followed by resurrection victory and the ascent to heaven.

The Christ you are asked to follow is not a humiliated Jewish preacher but the Lord of glory. Indeed, he does not merely ask you to come to him; he commands it. He tells you to turn from your sin and come to him openly for salvation. Will you do that? Will you come? “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (Rev. 22:17).

Taken from Come to the Waters by James Boice ISBN 9798887790954 used with permission from P&R Publishing, Phillipsburg NJ 08865

Scripture quotations are from the ESV (the Holy Bible English Standard Version) copyright 2001 by Crossway a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved.