SECRET DISCIPLES

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus' body down. When Pilate gave him permission, he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Together they wrapped Jesus' body in a long linen cloth with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. ??“ John 19:38-40 (NLT)

            Both Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea were powerful men in Jewish society. They were followers of Christ, but only from a distance. It would appear that they both had faith in Jesus, yet because of fear they had not been willing to take a public stand for Christ ??“ at least until now.

            While we could berate these men for their unwillingness to come out in the open with their faith, perhaps it would be better to applaud them for their present willingness to make their faith known to any and all who would hear about their care of Jesus??™ body following the crucifixion. From this day forward, everyone would know that Joseph and Nicodemus were disciples of Christ.

            I wonder if any of us are secret disciples ??“ trying to be faithful to Christ, but at the same time hiding our faith from those around us. Perhaps today is your day to take a stand and let the world know that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER THOUGHT: Lord, may I never be ashamed to proclaim my faith to the world around me.