“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account…You are the salt of the earth…you are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket.” (Matthew 5:11-14)
“‘And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.’ He said this to show what kind of death He was going to die.” (John 12:32, 33)
“Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the Kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.” (Mark 15:43)
The cross of Jesus has a certain magnetism that pulls at the heart of every soul upon the earth. It is a bold proclamation, as we have discussed, of the unfathomable love of God for His creation. Jesus courageously went to the cross and endured the shame that we might be free to courageously come to Him and experience reconciliation. Jesus told the disciples that if He was lifted up He would “draw” all people to Himself. Scripture tells us that He was referring to the cross.
When we read the brief story of Joseph of Arimathea we see that his encounter with the cross of Jesus transformed him from being a “secret” disciple (John 19:38) to being a courageous follower of His Lord and Savior!
Joseph was a member of the Council, the same Council that condemned Jesus to death…the same Council that publicly humiliated, mocked, and beat Jesus. Scripture tells us that he did not consent (Luke 23:51) but it implies that he did nothing to show his support for his Lord. Then, came the cross. Jesus was “lifted up” and sacrificed…The Light of the world…”a city set on a hill” called Golgotha. This brought a boldness to this low profile believer!
“If Jesus would so boldly sacrifice His life for me then how can I remain silent any longer?!!”
Suddenly this man who had only served from the shadows went before Pilate and revealed his devotion to the Romans…the Council…and to the world. Maybe Joseph remembered the words of Jesus when He said,
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed…” (Mark 8:36-38)
We do not know whether Joseph lost his seat on the Council. We are not told of the repercussions of his “coming out”…but, we do know that he did. What about you?
Can I challenge you today, O Believer, to boldly come to the cross unashamed and courageously proclaim your faith in our Jesus! Yes, you may be reviled and persecuted, but you will experience blessing of the Kingdom of God!