Stepping Out of the Shadows of Faith

Have you ever felt like a "secret" Christian? Maybe you love Jesus in private, but when you're around friends or coworkers who don't share your beliefs, you tend to stay quiet. Joseph of Arimathea knew exactly how that felt. For a long time, John 19:38 tells us he was a disciple, but he kept it hidden because he was afraid of what others would think.

Everything changed the day Jesus died. In Matthew 27:58, the Bible says, "He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.." This was a massive risk for Joseph. He was a wealthy, high-ranking official, and by asking for the body of a man executed as a criminal, he was essentially putting a target on his own back. He stopped worrying about his reputation and started focusing on his devotion to his Lord.

The Bible says Joseph "begged" for the body. The Greek word used here is aitéō, which means to make an earnest, formal, and persistent request. This wasn't a shy whisper; it was a bold demand made to the highest Roman authority in the region. Joseph’s courage ensured that Jesus received a dignified burial, fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 that the Messiah would be "with the rich in his death."

Application

Today, ask yourself where you might be hiding your light. Is there a conversation you’ve been avoiding or a way you can serve that might feel a bit uncomfortable? Like Joseph, we don't have to be perfect, but we are called to be brave. Try to do one thing today that identifies you as a follower of Jesus, even if it feels a little risky.

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage of Joseph of Arimathea. Help me to stop hiding my faith and to honor You even when it’s not popular. Amen.