Descent from the cross

By Rembrandt

 Joseph of Arimathea, though a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus.” — John 19:38


“Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes… They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices.” — John 19:39–40


“Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate…” — Mark 15:43



People described Joseph of Arimathea in many ways. “A respected leader. A member of the council. A rich man. A secret disciple. A man who was waiting for the kingdom of God.”

The Bible records what others saw in him. But we do not fully know how he saw himself.


Yet his actions speak clearly.

At the moment when no one dared to stand near the cross, he stepped forward. He could have lost everything—his honor, his position, his safety. Still, he went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus, a man executed as a criminal.


He prepared fine linen. He gave his own new tomb. He showed courage. He revealed his true identity to the world. He was Joseph from Arimathea—one who loved Jesus.


Nicodemus also came out of the shadows. The one who once came at night now walked in the light. Together, they cared for the body of Jesus with love and honor.


Their faith had been hidden. Now it became visible. This was their leap of faith.


What about me?

What identity do I hold onto?

What fear keeps me silent?


Jesus calls me to step forward. Not in comfort, but in courage. Even when it costs me something, I choose to follow Him.


Lord, Today, I step out of the shadows.

Let me choose to live as one who loves Jesus. Amen. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ministerial Sanctification (목회적 성화)

Image
  Reflection  I have always admired the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John. I see parts of myself in Paul’s fiery passion, yet I long to resemble John, whose temperament is different from mine—perhaps that is why I married a husband who is like John. Paul was a man of dramatic experience and unwavering zeal, willing to lay down his life for the Gospel. As a goal-oriented strategist, he had clear missionary plans. Because of this firm nature, he once clashed with Barnabas over Mark and chose to part ways. Strategically, his plan to go to Asia Minor seemed superior, and he struggled at first to understand why God redirected him toward Macedonia. However, God used these journeys not only to transform the world but to transform Paul himself. Later in his life, we see a changed man—one who forgave Mark, whom he had once rejected, and embraced him as a precious co-worker. This same Mark went on to write the Gospel of Mark. Furthermore, when Paul surrendered his own plans to follow Go...
Read more

How can I be saved?

Image
  Scripture: Acts 16:25–34 In today’s M'Cheyne Bible reading, the passage from Acts invites us to reflect deeply on the nature of salvation. Paul and Silas, though unjustly imprisoned for the Gospel, chose to pray and sing hymns in the darkness. While their bodies were confined within stone walls, their souls remained profoundly free. Suddenly, a violent earthquake struck, and  the foundations of the prison were shaken.  The very core of their confinement gave way, the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains were unfastened. At that moment, the jailer—a man who was physically free but spiritually bound—prepared to take his own life, fearing the prisoners had escaped. However, Paul and Silas did not see the open doors as a mere escape route; they waited for a divine sign. Paul cried out, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!" Stunned by this grace, the jailer asked the most vital question of human existence:  "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" The jailer ha...
Read more

When Our Strength Ends, His Grace Begins

Image
  Reflection Sarah was anxious. She had been in the Promised Land for ten years, yet the child God promised had not arrived. Faced with the uncertainty of her circumstances, Sarah decided to take matters into her own hands. In her frustration, she complained against the Lord. Because He had not yet granted her a child, she attempted to fulfill God's promise through her own human effort by using her servant, Hagar. In doing so, she diminished God, shrinking Him down to fit within the limits of her own small world and understanding. She tried to force God's will to happen through her own strength. This choice led to a heartbreaking outcome. Once Hagar became pregnant, Sarah was treated with contempt, leading Sarah to retaliate by harshly mistreating Hagar. Remarkably, God did not appear to Sarah in this moment; instead, He appeared to Hagar in the wilderness to comfort her and instruct her to return. In this story, I see a reflection of myself. Lord, forgive me for the times when...
Read more