Scripture:
"Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews." ~John 19:38
Observation:
Joseph of Arimathea--and Nicodemus--performed a wonderful kindness for Jesus in giving him at least a decent burial. But in my mind, there's just one problem: Jesus didn't know it. He was oblivious to the fact that the kindness was done to him. Why did Joseph and Nicodemus wait until basically the last minute to serve Jesus? The answer is in verse 38:
"because he feared the Jews."
The Jews were the one factor that held Joseph of Arimathea back from becoming a public disciple of Jesus in Jesus' lifetime, thus robbing Jesus of great joy.
Application:
Sometimes I feel like we may try to be "secret disciples" of Jesus. Why? Because we're afraid. Afraid of what? Well, it may not be the Jews, but it may be something like friends, family, or co-workers. Are you not publicly professing Christ? Not proudly telling the world that you're following Christ? Do it before it's too late. Follow Christ publicly, and give Jesus great joy.
Prayer:
Dear God, help me to not be ashamed of you. I don't want to be ashamed of you. Please help me to publicly follow you--and if I am already, please give me the courage to share you more boldly and in more places than I have been. Amen.
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