Day 3
Today we take a look at the life of the third character that will help us discover the power of the Easter message. He is known as Joseph of Arimathea…
John 19:38-42
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. 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. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 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. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
History tells us that Jospeh was both a wealthy man and a believer; however he was a ‘secret Christian’ out of fear for what people may say. Not only that, he feared persecution from the Jewish leaders for having faith in Christ.
I wonder if Joseph’s secret faith is something that you identify with today? Maybe you’re afraid to confess Him for fear of the repercussions at work, school or uni? Maybe it’s the thought of being isolated or being laughed at for being a Jesus freak, Bible basher or simply an oddball?
One girl wrote to her Pastor and asked how she could stand up for Jesus at college without being mocked. His answer came in the form of just two words…”you can’t”.
Notice that Jospeh was accompanied by another well known Bible person, Nicodemus. He was the guy in John Chapter 3 that came to question Jesus at night. He too didn’t want anyone to know of his ‘private’ desire to know Jesus.
So here we have it…two grown men that were scared to be identifying with Jesus. So what happened to these scaredy-cats? SUDDENLY, the power of the cross forces them to come out of hiding and onto the streets in full view of hundreds of people. Why? Because the cross of Christ gives you a backbone where you only ever had a wishbone.
It is on this very Easter week that both Joseph and his friend Nicodemus teach us that JESUS CHRIST TOOK MY FEAR!
I testify that He took mine and He can take yours too.
Many years ago, before I was a Pastor, I was reported for talking to people at work about Jesus. I was hauled into the boss’s office and told I must stop or I could lose my job. Six months later, the person that reported me was fired and I was promoted. Enough said.
Come out into the open this Easter and boldly confess your love for Jesus to everyone around you.
So what is a real Christian you may ask?
Someone like BARABBUS that believes that Jesus took my place.
Someone like the DYING THEIF that believes that Jesus took my punishment.
Someone like JOSEPH because Jesus took my fear.
I love the words of this old song:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
because He lives all fear is gone,
and now I know who holds the future
and life is worth the living, just because He lives.
Join me tomorrow as we explore more truths on the journey towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday.
John 19:38-42
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. 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. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 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. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
History tells us that Jospeh was both a wealthy man and a believer; however he was a ‘secret Christian’ out of fear for what people may say. Not only that, he feared persecution from the Jewish leaders for having faith in Christ.
I wonder if Joseph’s secret faith is something that you identify with today? Maybe you’re afraid to confess Him for fear of the repercussions at work, school or uni? Maybe it’s the thought of being isolated or being laughed at for being a Jesus freak, Bible basher or simply an oddball?
One girl wrote to her Pastor and asked how she could stand up for Jesus at college without being mocked. His answer came in the form of just two words…”you can’t”.
Notice that Jospeh was accompanied by another well known Bible person, Nicodemus. He was the guy in John Chapter 3 that came to question Jesus at night. He too didn’t want anyone to know of his ‘private’ desire to know Jesus.
So here we have it…two grown men that were scared to be identifying with Jesus. So what happened to these scaredy-cats? SUDDENLY, the power of the cross forces them to come out of hiding and onto the streets in full view of hundreds of people. Why? Because the cross of Christ gives you a backbone where you only ever had a wishbone.
It is on this very Easter week that both Joseph and his friend Nicodemus teach us that JESUS CHRIST TOOK MY FEAR!
I testify that He took mine and He can take yours too.
Many years ago, before I was a Pastor, I was reported for talking to people at work about Jesus. I was hauled into the boss’s office and told I must stop or I could lose my job. Six months later, the person that reported me was fired and I was promoted. Enough said.
Come out into the open this Easter and boldly confess your love for Jesus to everyone around you.
So what is a real Christian you may ask?
Someone like BARABBUS that believes that Jesus took my place.
Someone like the DYING THEIF that believes that Jesus took my punishment.
Someone like JOSEPH because Jesus took my fear.
I love the words of this old song:
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
because He lives all fear is gone,
and now I know who holds the future
and life is worth the living, just because He lives.
Join me tomorrow as we explore more truths on the journey towards Good Friday and Easter Sunday.