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 | Blogs > chasing_sunsets > My Blog > The Secret Disciple steps out.!! |
The Secret Disciple steps out.!!
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Reading: John 19 v 38 - 42 I would like to talk about a man who the New Testament speaks of as a secret disciple, he suddenly pops up during the trial and the death of Jesus. When Christ dies on the cross he comes out of hiding and identifies himself with the son of God. Joseph of Armiamthea is mentioned in the 4 gospels but it is Johns account that speaks to me the loudest. In verse 38 we read "And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus". The Line that stands out to me is a disciple of Jesus but secretly, no one can be a secret disciple forever. A philosopher once said that a man cannot be a secret disciple for long either the secrecy destroys the discipleship or the discipleship will destroy the secrecy. Christ is looking for men and women who love him to serve him with the mouth and also by their actions. Why was Joseph a secret disciple? We read in Luke's account that he was an honorable counselor for fear of the jews. Joseph didn't want to exchange the status he held in the temple for a carpenter and his band of Nobodies. There are lots of us who love Jesus but will not be seen openly with him because it can cost us prestige, friends and position. Are you like that? Do you love the Lord but afraid to declare it openly? Joseph was a rich man as we read in Matthews account (being an ex tax collector he was aware of these things). Matthew said when the even was come there was a rich man.. Joseph feared the scorn of the socialites of his time. A member of the Sanhedrin and a rich man could have made Joseph a great witness for Christ, perhaps Joseph could have even prevented a Kangaroo court that the Lord was submitted to! In Luke's account we read that Joseph and Nicodemus didn't stand for Christ they were silent. Silence is Golden? no in this instance silence was yellow, the mark of a coward. It has been written that the only thing that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. Joseph did exactly that - Nothing! When we get to heaven Christs," Well done thy good and faithful servant..." will mean more to us than a million plaudits of men. What will the Lord say to us when we stand before him on that day I wonder? As a secret disciple Joseph lost out, by being a secret disciple he lost out in walking with the Lord, Joseph didn't get to walk with the Lord like the apostles did. Joseph only seen the Lord a few times a year when he needed to be in town. Joseph also lost the understanding of Christs teaching which he gave publicly, he wasn't there to see Christ. Joseph never got to hear the explanation of the Lords teachings directly from the Lords mouth. Joseph lost out in involvement in Jesus prayer life, the 12 apostles listened to the Lord pray and asked the Lord how to teach them how to pray. Secret disciples lose out!!! What was it that finally made Joseph move out in faith? What brought him from the shadows into the light? To acknowledge Christ as the Savior, messiah and King? Was it Fear that kept him back? Who are we afraid of? Family, friends, business associates? .. It says that Joseph went BOLDLY into Pilate. Did Joseph not know that taking a dead body from the cross, which in the eyes of Jewish laws was a curse that would mean defilement that he could not partake of the passover? Joseph got to the stage that he no longer cared! I believe in his heart that Joseph knew that Jesus was the passover literally. When Joesph took Christ off the cross he had the real passover the Lamb of God who was sacrificed for our sin. There is a legend that states Joseph owned tin mines in the UK outside Glastonbury,and visited there regularly,that would have cost money but Joseph didn't care about his riches anymore! he cared about Christ! Joseph personally asked for the release and custody of the Lord,he knew he was risking the wrath of Pontius Pilate but he no longer cared. It wasn't the life, miracles or ministry of Christ,that made Joseph step out of the shadows, it was the cross. Joseph melted when he saw that Christ died for him and after seeing the work on the cross,he yielded to the Lord, Joseph knew what the Lord had done for him. The cross and what it represented brought him out of the darkness of indecision to identify with the Lord Jesus, and it continues to bring us out of the darkness to this day. Mark Ch8:38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. We each have something Jesus needs I pray that we have the courage to come out and make a stand to glorify the Lord name. God Bless Sunsets 
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6/29/2009 2:13 pm |
"secret disciple" "God works behind the scenes" If he had been even slightly known as a disciple, I do not think the Body would have been released to him for burial- since the story also says that the order was given to keep "the disciples from stealing the body". If there are no workers behind the scenes, silent and unknown, we can not be certain His will would have been done. Same in todays world. Secret workers- Matthew 6v3 applies here and in many other cases including the context of alms as referenced. If one does not work for recognition, one can be used in many different ways. Addendum to "losing my faith"...
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6/29/2009 4:07 pm |
"And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus". Thanks Gordy.. you are right and I have no argument with what you are saying with references to the disciples stealing the body, which is why perhaps Joseph was a disciple of Christ secretly.. God Bless Sunsets
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6/29/2009 4:56 pm |
Many were secretly followers and disciples- back then as well as after He ascended. If we recall, the entire band of followers were marked for death and therefore kept themselves very well out of sight. Hence Saul/Paul was sent to search out, prosecute and persecute those he could find- and did raise havoc in the broader community. Steven was not the only victim of Saul/Paul as Paul alludes to many more he killed, maimed or sent to prison. If God's people back then had all surfaced, none would have been able to walk freely about the city and countryside doing what needed to be done for that same group of believers. One part of the story too that we do not like to admit is that when Paul's group actually DID stand up and become visible under Paul's urgings to be strong, be faithful in God's protection and simply believe God would take care of them- those poor slobs were the ones so easily rounded up and slaughtered by the thousands. There are and were dire consequences for those who did not follow the teachings of Peter- and keep working- rather than become identified and carted off to die- where was the wisdom in making it easy for the romans and jews to infiltrate the group and destroy it from the inside. Paul's group suffered from that problem. We have it so very much easier today- Haven't heard much about a daily feeding to the lions of hundreds of christians for sport here recently. I guess maybe the zoo keepers today can feed them something else. Thank God we live in 2009- wheeere the deeeeers and thee aanteeloooopes plaaaaaaay. O giiimeeeee aaa hooooome whertha anteeelooooopess roooooooooam ... you know the rest I'm sure.  Addendum to "losing my faith"...
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6/29/2009 6:28 pm |
oooops... whaaaaaaarth' buuuufaaalooooooo rooooooooam... Sorry... my bad. andtheskiiiiezarnooootcloooudyaaaaaallldaaaaaaaaaaaay. (author unknown- old western amarican folk ditty of course ) (believed to be public domain. Used without any sort of permission ) Addendum to "losing my faith"...
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6/30/2009 1:10 am |
Hey Gordy .. Good to see you back again lol... Yes I do know about the persecution of the christians by the Romans and the Jews, not only were they fed to lions for sport but hung on makeshift crosses and set alight to be human torches also.. But I know you know that .. right? Yeah ur bad  God Bless Sunsets
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6/30/2009 6:19 am |
I agree with you in restrospect to America and other countries where people have the freedom of worship. BUT there are still countries where people are gathered up, imprisoned, tortured and killed for their beliefs in Jesus. I believe these underground churches are doing much good and have the full blessings of our Lord. And I believe that those underground christians that are being martyred for their faith have a special place next to the throne. Even so this is a good post and thanks for sharing. Love and Hugs   Lord, keep one hand on my shoulder and one hand over my mouth!
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6/30/2009 4:35 pm |
Uh oh Rebekka  Im sorry, I guess I should clarify that I was talking about what I know and not thinking of people in situations of danger. Of course there is need for secrecy in some instances, I was however talking about those around me who have freedom to confess the Lord but chose not to. Sorry Rebekka.. still on the Milk here.. guess I gotta be careful and think things through.. Blessings Sunsets
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7/1/2009 12:49 pm |
Uh oh Rebekka Im sorry, I guess I should clarify that I was talking about what I know and not thinking of people in situations of danger. Of course there is need for secrecy in some instances, I was however talking about those around me who have freedom to confess the Lord but chose not to. Sorry Rebekka.. still on the Milk here.. guess I gotta be careful and think things through.. Blessings Sunsets Lord, keep one hand on my shoulder and one hand over my mouth!
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