In our Christian walk there comes a time when valor is awakened and true faith revealed.
For Joseph of Arimathea, the unjust condemnation of Jesus was that time.
From the Scriptures we know that Joseph was a “rich man” (Matthew 27:57), “a councilor of honorable estate,” or member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50), “a good and righteous man … who was looking for the kingdom of God” (Luke 23:50; Mark 15:43), and “himself was Jesus’ disciple” (Matthew 27:57; John 19:38).
Yet he kept his discipleship secret “for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38) until that time came.
It was at that time, as he stood before Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body, Joseph’s fear was replaced with courage and his apprehension exchanged for boldness.
When his request was granted Joseph took the Lord’s mangled corpse, wrapped it in linen, laid it in his tomb, and “rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher” (cf. Matthew 27:60).
For him, it no longer mattered what others thought or would possibly do—Joseph just wanted Jesus.
Have you had those times when it just didn’t matter what others thought or said? When all that mattered was simply ‘getting’ Jesus?
It is in those times where courage is roused, and faith becomes sight. It is in those times where situations and circumstances become anchor points in your Christian walk; places you can always return to as a memorial of faith, bravery, and, thus, encouragement during other challenging times.
Maybe it’s time to prepare yourself for another opportunity to establish a new anchor point in your Christian walk. Just maybe there is a situation where it’s time to stand courageously for Jesus because the silence all around has been deafening.
Take that stand in this time and remember,
