From Secrecy To Public Confession

Friday, April 15,2011 Reading: John 19:38-42 http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2019&version=NIV Reflection: It's interesting to note that Joseph of Arimathea is called a secret disciple. Now, that seems a bit awkward to me...and not a good place to be. To be a disciple is to be a disciplined follower. It means to bear the marks of a mathetes, forfeiting all in an effort to live the way of Jesus. Yet, this man is afraid to openly do so because he fears what the Jews might do to him. So, it would seem, he follows in his heart only, always looking over his shoulder to see if the world around him can see his dancing between two worlds. He is never fully a child of the world, as he seeks to follow Jesus. Yet, he is never fully a follower of Jesus because he fears what the world might do to him. So he finds himself ever wavering between two positions. That can't be a fun place to be. It seems, however, that he has finally cast his lots in with Jesus. First, he goes to Pilate asking for the body of Jesus...certainly something the religious leaders would be unwilling to do. Second, he finds him a tomb...some actually think it was his own tomb. Third, he recruits help to properly care for the body and give a decent burial. All of this will no doubt be discovered by the religious leaders. They will certainly suspect that this Joseph is now a follower of Christ. Yet, he does it anyway. So, while he was on the sidelines for some time, he has now gotten into the game and is making his choice. Maybe you too have been a casual, half-hearted, or secret follower of Jesus. Maybe you said you were his disciple within the private walls of the church building, but publicly laid low out of fear of what following Jesus might cost you. Maybe the time has come to step forward and openly declare your loyalty. Maybe you should stop dancing between two worlds and make your choice...firmly planting your feet in Jesus' camp. If you do, you will find a life that does bear a cost, but also unmeasured reward. Ultimately, the choice is yours.