Jesus Knows You Need Courage

Matthew 27:57-61 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
 
IT may seem a surprising mystery that “disciple” refers to Joseph from Arimathea, who came to bury Jesus. Yet, this man Joseph was the one to petition Pilate for his Lord’s body.
   We read in Luke that Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, who had condemned Jesus. Joseph, though, had voted, “No.” regarding Jesus’ death: “Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed.” (Luke 23:50-51a) Joseph was a true disciple to fearlessly stand up for Jesus in the council.  
   John’s gospel also records Nicodemus helped bury Jesus. He was a Pharisee who talked with Jesus in one of Scripture’s most powerful conversations between man and God (John 3). Nicodemus also defended Jesus among the Pharisees (John 7).  
   These were men of the “church” who risked their position in the ruling religious and political structures. They loved the true Savior of the world more than they feared man. They risked becoming outcasts in their community when they cared for the One who came to cast out sin from our souls. Joseph also lay Jesus in an expensive tomb. Sacrificially he cared for the one who sacrificed for him.
   Are we willing to defend Jesus, to love Jesus, even if it means we become outcasts? Jesus knows you need courage to follow him.
 
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.