4th Sunday of Lent

I wonder if Nicodemus felt affronted when, having arrived by night (Jn 3: 2), he is told by Jesus: "For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed." (Jn 3: 22)? Nicodemus is afraid. He is a "leader of the Jews" and his position may be compromised if it is known that he has come to speak to Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea, too, was a secret disciple "because of his fear of the Jews." (Jn 19: 38) Their fear is understandable when we see the fury of the crowd before Pilate as they bayed for Jesus' blood. A sense of preservation is understandable, yet, we are caught by our desire to follow Jesus, since, as Peter says: "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."  (Jn 6: 68-69) Jesus warns the disciples: "'If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me before it hated you. If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. because you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world - therefore the world hates you'." (Jn 15: 18-19) Together, at the Crucifixion, They remove Jesus shattered body from the Cross and place it in the tomb (Jn 19: 38-42) and they then disappear from the written record. They are not mentioned when the Apostles go on trial after the Resurrection rather it is Gamaliel who stands up to speak.(Acts 5: 21-42) It is significant that the two men were able to find courage together. It is difficult to be a disciple alone. We need to stand with each other and support one another in faith if we are to face a sceptical and derisive world as true disciples.