HOPE: We Are To Aid In The Coming Of A Better World

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. John 19:38-42

Joseph of Arimathea, was a disciple of Christ, but did not associate publicly with Jesus for fear of the Jews. He was a highly respected Jewish member of the Sanhedrin who condemned Jesus to be crucified. It was a bold move on Joseph’s part of go before Pilate and ask that he might take Jesus’s body away to be buried. Nicodemus, a wealthy man, visited Jesus secretly at night. These two individuals were both men of power, privilege and wealth. Two unlikely “secret disciples.”

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had much to lose and yet they came out of hiding to give Jesus a new tomb, never before used, as a token of appropriate honor given to a king. They did not let the story end in despair but had the hope that they had given Jesus the honor and glory He deserved. They chose to no longer hide under false pretenses.

Are we secret followers of Christ when we go about our daily activities? Do others know what God we serve? Do we hesitate to act for fear we may lose face before others? How much courage do we have? This passage gives me hope that it is never too late to proclaim our allegiance to the risen Lord. Jesus’s death did not end at the grave. He arose again that we might have the hope of eternal life with Him. We, as children of God, can aid in the coming of a better world.

Gracious Father, Help me to witness to others that my hope lies in you. Grant me the courage to lift the cross high and proclaim your glory. Amen

This devotion is written by Janece Nelson.

If you would like to serve as a member of the Sheridan Lutheran Writing Team and help to write devotions based on the text for the weekend, contact Amy Wagner.

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