At his last supper with the disciples, Jesus quoted Psalm 41:9, and clearly showed Judas that he knew Judas would betray him. When Judas left the supper, John said the disciples were confused. But he pointed to the spiritual (as well as physical) reality of the situation by writing hauntingly that “it was night.” In contrast, seeing Jesus give up his life on the cross led Joseph to bring his secret discipleship into the light.

• Jesus, keenly aware of what was going on, still included Judas in the Last Supper, washing his feet and giving him a chance to turn away from his exposed plotting. What does that tell you about how Jesus responds to you even when you are at your worst? How can you let Jesus’ grace heal your wounds, so that you can extend his grace all the way to those who have let you down?

• John wrote, “Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities.” With him, John said, came Nicodemus, who earlier “came to Jesus at night” (cf. John 3:2). Have you ever tried to keep something important a secret, and felt a sense of relief and freedom once it was in the open? Even in their sadness at Jesus’ death, how did Joseph and Nicodemus find freedom and fulfillment in owning their love for Jesus?

From Grow.Pray.Study (GPS) The Church of the Resurrection--Weekly Guide