From Heaven With Love

The Disciples Discouraged

With the death of Christ the hopes of His disciples perished. Until the last they had not believed He would die; they could hardly believe that He was dead. Overwhelmed with sorrow, nothing that He had said now gave them comfort. Their faith in Jesus had perished, but never had they loved their Lord as now, never had they so felt their need of His presence. HLv 514.5

Christ's disciples longed to give Him an honored burial, but knew not how to accomplish this. Persons put to death for treason against the Roman government were consigned to a burial ground for criminals. John with the women from Galilee could not leave the body of their Lord to be handled by unfeeling soldiers and buried in a dishonored grave. Yet they could obtain no favors from the Jewish authorities and had no influence with Pilate. HLv 514.6

In this emergency, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus came to the help of the disciples. Both were members of the Sanhedrin, both were men of wealth and influence, both were acquainted with Pilate. They were determined that the body of Jesus should have an honorable burial. HLv 515.1