At various times and in different situations we all were “secret disciples” just like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus and perhaps many others. Mainly because of fear and repercussions our faith is kept in the shadows. But there comes a point in our lives when we cannot hide our true identity anymore.
The trigger point for coming out of the shadows varies from one person to another.
The Gospels tells us that both Joseph and Nicodemus were men of great influence and standing in Jewish society. Both were prominent members of the Jewish Council, the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43, John 3:1) with means to acquire the things necessary for Jesus’ burial, namely the grave and the large quantity of myrrh and aloes. Both loved, followed, and believed in Jesus but “secretly, for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38).
Their secret faith and love for the Lord only lasted while Jesus was still alive but then the cross came … and everything changed.
What had changed in the hearts of these men to act this way?
The only correct answer to this question is THE CROSS… the cross changed everything.
For Joseph and Nicodemus, the cross changed everything about how they felt about their status, their comfort, their reputation or even their lives.
The cross brought these men out of hiding, out of the shadows of secrecy and into open allegiance to the Lord. Their faith that once was whispered in the hallways of synagogues is not loudly heard through their actions.
Being a disciple of Jesus was never easy and will never be … But it is the greatest honour that you will ever receive and worth every moment of it!
Can I challenge you that if you are in the shadows, it is time to come boldly forward and confess before everyone that Jesus is your Lord and Saviour!