Secret Disciples: Luke 23:50-54
“50) And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52) this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53) And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54) It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.” Luke 23:50-54
When you do a harmony of the four gospels, you discover that Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the council. He was a man of wealth because he had his own cave hewn from rock for a burial place. He was waiting for the coming kingdom.
Joseph was in opposition to the whole scheme against Jesus. According to John 19:38, he was a “disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of the Jews.” There may have been others. Secret disciples need a leader or a significant event to compel them to take action.
After Jesus was taken down from the cross, Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus to prepare it for burial. He seemed to have some favor with Pilate. Keep in mind, Pilate himself was in opposition to the crucifixion. The story begs the question if Pilate himself had become a “secret disciple.”
According to John 19:39, Nicodemus who had come to Jesus by night (John 3:1-21), joined Joseph for the preparation of the body with a mixture of myrrh and aloes and prepared the body for burial. It amounted to about on hundred pounds of spices. Nicodemus was most likely also a member of the Sanhedrin. He was also a “secret disciple.”
There are two big lessons that stand out in this story. First, history has never been changed by a silent minority. On the other hand, courageous and vocal minorities have had a huge impact. They have often shaped and changed the course of nations. Don’t be a secret disciple.
Second, being a secret disciple of Jesus is based on fear and not faith. Salvation comes to those who confess Him before men. (See Romans 10:8-11)
Faith must be acted upon. The argument could be made that they finally took action. They lost anonymity the moment they stepped forward and took action with the body of Jesus. Their names and deeds have been etched in history.
At some point, you need to do the same. Faith works best on the front lines. Big things happen in and through those who are not ashamed to be associated with Jesus Christ. Be visible, be active and with love be vocal about your faith.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
“50) And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man 51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; 52) this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53) And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. 54) It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.” Luke 23:50-54
When you do a harmony of the four gospels, you discover that Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the council. He was a man of wealth because he had his own cave hewn from rock for a burial place. He was waiting for the coming kingdom.
Joseph was in opposition to the whole scheme against Jesus. According to John 19:38, he was a “disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of the Jews.” There may have been others. Secret disciples need a leader or a significant event to compel them to take action.
After Jesus was taken down from the cross, Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus to prepare it for burial. He seemed to have some favor with Pilate. Keep in mind, Pilate himself was in opposition to the crucifixion. The story begs the question if Pilate himself had become a “secret disciple.”
According to John 19:39, Nicodemus who had come to Jesus by night (John 3:1-21), joined Joseph for the preparation of the body with a mixture of myrrh and aloes and prepared the body for burial. It amounted to about on hundred pounds of spices. Nicodemus was most likely also a member of the Sanhedrin. He was also a “secret disciple.”
There are two big lessons that stand out in this story. First, history has never been changed by a silent minority. On the other hand, courageous and vocal minorities have had a huge impact. They have often shaped and changed the course of nations. Don’t be a secret disciple.
Second, being a secret disciple of Jesus is based on fear and not faith. Salvation comes to those who confess Him before men. (See Romans 10:8-11)
Faith must be acted upon. The argument could be made that they finally took action. They lost anonymity the moment they stepped forward and took action with the body of Jesus. Their names and deeds have been etched in history.
At some point, you need to do the same. Faith works best on the front lines. Big things happen in and through those who are not ashamed to be associated with Jesus Christ. Be visible, be active and with love be vocal about your faith.
Daily Bible Commentary By Terry Baxter: Cofounder of GoServ Global
Sent from my iPhone
