Bryant Wright, Founder

“After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.” John 19:38

Holy Saturday is the quiet day in the Easter story. The crowds are gone. The miracles have stopped. Heaven seems silent. Jesus is in a tomb, and it looks like the story is over. Yet it is on this in-between day that Joseph of Arimathea truly becomes known as a disciple.

Joseph was a wealthy and respected member of the Jewish ruling council. At some point, he had come to believe in Jesus, but his faith remained private. His influence, reputation, and standing made open allegiance risky. But when Christ died, he courageously went to Pilate and publicly identified himself with the crucified man. He gave Jesus his own unused tomb. After all, Jesus died in his place.

Joseph shows us that faith often becomes real when it becomes public. It’s easy to follow Jesus when your beliefs don’t cost you anything. But genuine faith isn’t ashamed of standing with Jesus, even if you’re in the minority.

So let me ask you: are you a private, secret follower of Jesus or a public one? Do people in your neighborhood or office know that you’re a Christian? It’s possible to believe in Christ and keep Him carefully tucked away from your everyday life. Yet there comes a moment when neutrality is no longer an option. At some point, we have to be public with our faith.

Today, that may mean speaking about your faith when it would be easier to stay quiet, finally obeying Christ publicly by getting baptized, or identifying with Christ even when it could cost you something.

Joseph stood with Jesus when doing so brought risk and no visible reward.

Where might God be inviting you to move from private belief to public faith today?

DIG DEEPER
Read “Where Was Jesus Between His Death & Resurrection?” at GotQuestions.org