Sermon Central
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Joseph Of Arimathea: The Secret Disciple Of Jesus And His Legacy Today
Contributed by B. D. B Moses on Mar 7, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: What motivates a secret disciple of Jesus to remain underground? Where do you find those who are secret disciples of Jesus? The answer to these questions about secret disciples may surprise you.
Nicodemous brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about seventy-five pounds and along with Joseph they wrapped Jesus body with spices in strips of linen, in accordance with Jewish burial customs. The tomb where Joseph buried our Lord was his own new tomb, hewn out of solid stone. It was, in accordance with scripture, the tomb of a rich man. This is an amazing fulfillment of prophecy, considering Jesus had just died a criminal’s death. They placed Jesus body in Joseph’s tomb and then rolled the stone against the entrance of the tomb.
Joseph compared to other disciples
There is an amazing contrast here between the public disciples of our Lord and his secret disciples. At this time one of Jesus twelve disciples, Judas was exposed as a betrayer. All along he was pretending to be a follower of Jesus, but stealing money from the treasury and really being no disciple at all.
When the secret disciples were lovingly preparing Jesus body for burial, Peter was weeping in shame for denying the Lord. The other members of the Sanhedrin remembered that Jesus prophesied that he would rise again in three days and appealed for the guard at the tomb (Mathew 27: 62). This motivated them to make their own visit to Pilate to request the tomb be sealed. Here Joseph could have bumped into the Jews he feared.
There is no record of the public disciples taking any encouragement from this resurrection prophecy after Jesus death and they had all suddenly become the secret disciples. On this Crucifixion day, considered the pivotal day in history, the secret disciple Joseph went publicly and boldly to approach Pilate. His fellow secret disciple Nicodemous was also acting courageously on the Crucifixion day.
A Profile of several Joseph of Arimathea types in India today.
Just as we find secret disciples in strategic and unlikely places in the New Testament we find this true in India today. Below is brief profile of three secret disciples who all hold prominent social position in India today. All three of them like Joseph of Arimathea have, as secret disciples used their position and influence to honor Christ.
Religious Swamiji
We may find Joseph of Arimathea types in Hindu religious holy places. I met one such Hindu Swamiji who I had heard was inviting believers to his Temple to discuss Jesus, the Bible and to have prayer. I was thankful for the opportunity to sit with him and discuss matters of faith. People from all over the area looked to this man for spiritual leadership.
His grandfather had built the current standing temple that was the focal point of worship for the area.
He was expected to fulfill a traditional role of prominence during the Hindu festivals. During the festivals he wore a headpiece made of silver that the religious leaders preceding him had worn on the same occasions for two hundred years.
When this Swami was invited to speak at the Christa Jayanthi (Christmas Service) he spoke and quoted the scriptures with evidence of a clear understanding of who Jesus really is and what it means to be a follower of Christ. Then this Hindu Swami made the statement of impact. He encouraged his followers to accept the teaching of the evangelist to follow Jesus.
