38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
 These guys had a lot to lose by being associated with Jesus.  They must also have been confused about the idea that this man claimed to be God but was then crucified.  Do we stand with Jesus even when we don't understand what He's doing?  Think about what he might be asking of you.  God never promises comfort or physical safety.  He does promise peace, purpose, eternity, and His presence with us.