SECRET DISCIPLES
John 19:38-39 NKJV
38 After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.
When I was in school and was telling a secret to a friend, I whispered it. The whisper was because I did not want anyone to hear what I was saying. Secrets are not broadcast. I remember a friend of ours who was with us when Joy and I led the singles at Lakewood. This friend went down during a Lakewood service for prayer, much like we do at The Ark. She whispered to the lady who was to pray for her that she needed prayer for hemorrhoids. This lady then proclaimed with a very loud voice "I curse these hemorrhoids in Jesus' name." Our friend was totally embarrassed. Her condition was something she wanted to keep a secret. But we all had a good laugh when she finished the story by telling us that her hemorrhoids had disappeared. Maybe some things shouldn't be a secret.
Two men came for the body of Jesus after He died on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly. Joseph was a wealthy man and a member of the Jewish council. Luke tells us Joseph had not consented to the council's decision to kill Jesus. And that Joseph was a good and righteous man. We are talking about a man who was respected by the Jewish leaders. But Joseph had a secret. He was a disciple of Jesus. He believed in Jesus and what Jesus taught. He believed that Jesus was the longed-for Messiah. But Joseph did not profess his beliefs to the council.
The reason for Joseph being a secret disciple of Jesus was fear. He was afraid of what the Jewish leaders would do. Oh, probably not afraid of physical harm, but the harm of rejection. The pain of losing the respect of the community. Joseph believed in Jesus but was trying to hold onto the honor he had gained among the Jews. In Mark's gospel, we find that Joseph took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. It took courage for Joseph to take the body of Jesus and bury Him in his own tomb. By doing this act, Joseph identified with Jesus. At face value, it appeared a little too late, but for a man concerned about his reputation, it was a step.
Nicodemus also came to help with the burial. He was another key Jewish leader who believed in Jesus but was afraid to be identified with Him. This is why Nicodemus came to Jesus at night. He knew there was something special, something divine about Jesus. But to follow Jesus meant Nicodemus would give up his place of being honored by men. Both Joseph and Nicodemus were good men. And both men had a secret.
APPLICATION
I can't criticize Joseph or Nicodemus. There have been times I have been secretive about my relationship with Jesus. Particularly after I had first received the Lord and went back to college. My friends initially knew something was different about me, but I would not tell them that I had received Jesus and was a follower of Him. Looking back is always easier, but I can see where my secretly following the Lord did not help me. I was afraid of losing my place of respect and popularity in the fraternity I was involved in. I believe if I had openly confessed my allegiance to the Lord, in the long run, I would have had more respect. But my secret was instrumental in leading me back to the lifestyle I had before I received the Lord.
Fear kept me out of following the Lord for three-plus years. When I came back to Him, it was a different story, and I was all in. Being all in helped me live for the One who died for me. Did I lose a few friends? Yes, I did. Did I gain even more and better friends? Absolutely.
If you are struggling with being a secret disciple, ask the Lord to help you move past fear. What you gain in the long run is worth much more than what you may lose.
PRAYER
Lord, You died for me, and I want to live for You. I am not ashamed of You or Your gospel. Please give me the strength to live openly for You.