Just over a week ago, I was scheduled to teach on John Chapter 19. It was at that point, on that morning, that everything normal and routine began to change. Change: sometimes we welcome it and other times we do all we can to avoid it. Regardless of what we think or feel, change will come. Our God never changes, but He is a God of transformation. He will transform your life and your mind, if you allow Him.

John Chapter 19 shows us a picture of transformation and reversal. The chapter begins before the cross with Jesus’ trial and ends after the cross with Christ’s burial. Let’s take a closer look at who is highlighted at the beginning and end of the chapter and how they are described.

The chapter opens with Pilate. Pilate is the Roman governor, a man of power and position. He is a man to be feared by all. The chapter ends with Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Verses 38 and 39 describe Joseph as, “a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders,” and Nicodemus as “the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night.” These two men are described as being fearful.

There are many ways that Joseph and Nicodemus could have been described. John introduces Nicodemus in Chapter 3 as a member of the Jewish ruling council. The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke reveal that Joseph was, in fact, a rich and prominent member of the council. But here, in John 19, John chooses to highlight the fear and timidity that controlled these two men before the crucifixion.

What happens at the crucifixion for these men? Joseph boldly asks for Jesus’ body. Then he buries Jesus in his own tomb with the help of Nicodemus. Nicodemus lavishly brings seventy-five pounds of burial spices and aloes. The reader of John’s gospel is not left with an aftertaste of fear and timidity when they finish their taste of Joseph and Nicodemus. No! They are left with an image of boldness, self-sacrifice, and generosity. This is the transforming power of the Spirit of Christ!

Where does this leave Pilate? John ironically leaves Pilate on his judge’s seat, after being manipulated to crucify the one true judge. The man who was to be feared, bowed to fear. There are many things Pilate feared. He feared losing control of the people, losing power, and he feared a trial before Caesar. Jesus’ trial was, in a way, a case of “it’s him or me.” If Pilate did not crucify Jesus, his enemies could have charged him with opposing Caesar. Pilate would then stand trial before Caesar, and there was much in his past to condemn him. He chose to be ruled by his fears and preserve what he had.

This is the reversal: The fearless became fearful and the fearful became fearless. Joseph and Nicodemus began where Pilate ended up: in fear. They didn’t do what they knew was right. They believed one thing but ultimately acted in the opposite. Joseph and Nicodemus believed in Jesus in secret, but acted otherwise in public. Pilate believed Jesus was innocent, but crucified Him. Fear allows one to be manipulated. Fear binds its prey in shackles, making one feel trapped.

Our God is not a God of fear, but a God of truth. He does not manipulate. He transforms. God didn’t disown or otherwise reject Joseph and Nicodemus because of their fear. No, He loved them through it and transformed them to be bold and courageous. Do I think Joseph was scared when he approached Pilate? Yes! But equipped in the truth and in the courage of God, he was able to do hard things, even though he was scared. He did not allow fear to manipulate him.

Dear one, let this be a time of transformation. Do not be overtaken and manipulated by fear. This is not something you can accomplish on your own. Allow God to transform you by seeking His truth and character. Believe and rely on His firm foundation. During this time of uncertainty and fear, choose to be transformed.

Transformational Scriptures to dwell upon this week:
Romans 11:33-12:2
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:17
Romans 8:18-39
1 Corinthians 15:45-58
2 Timothy 1:6-14