Read John
19:38-42.
After
Jesus’ death on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea, at great risk to himself and
his reputation, went to the Roman governor, Pilate, to request Jesus’ body.
This was a great risk because Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish
Ruling Council, who called for Jesus’ crucifixion. Joseph was opposed to the
Council’s decision to kill Jesus. So, alongside Nicodemus, they went to prepare
Jesus’ body for burial. This is bearing witness to Jesus, even when everyone
else around them wanted Jesus dead.
How is
Jesus leading you to bear witness to Him?
These two stepped out of the shadows and made it clear that they were followers of Jesus. It is easy to follow if no one knows about my faith. I don't face any pressure that way. But God has a way of nudging us into the light, doesn't he? If these two didn't claim the body of Jesus, who would have done it? They loved Him too much to allow His body to be thrown into a pauper's grave.
ReplyDeleteHow sad that Joseph feared his fellow Jews (who, one imagines, he had known all his life and among whom he counted friends) more than the enemy king oppressing his people.
ReplyDeleteSometimes those closest to us are those with whom it is hardest to see eye to eye, especially when it comes to our faith. They think they know how we should be, and who we should be.
Lord, help me to be who You think I should be, who You created me to be, in spite of all the other messages from within and without.
This passage shows me two people who both doubted and had fear in regards to their faith. Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus because he feared what the Jewish leaders might do to him if they found out about his faith. Nicodemus visited Jesus at night and asked questions about his faith even though he was also a Jewish teacher. However, when it came time to put their faith into action, they responded boldly and honored the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI am reminded that everyone encounters periods of doubt or has questions about their faith. But when the Lord calls us, we must respond boldly, proclaiming what we have witnessed and what we believe through our actions.