John 19:38-42 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.”
Joe and Nick were “secret” Christians. Nicodemus had visited Jesus a few years before the incident referenced in the above scriptures. Nick had visited late at night so no one would see him with Jesus. Joseph admits he was a secret Christian because he was afraid of the Jews. Neither one of these men wanted to risk losing what they had worked so hard to obtain. They both were members of the ruling parties. They were in the upper class of society, had wealth and fame and power. Due to their fears they both missed out on the opportunity to travel with Jesus, listen to His teachings first hand and witness the many miracles he performed during His travels. Instead of being strong and courageous Christians they wrapped Jesus up and put Him away.
When you leave church after Sunday morning worship service, do you wrap Jesus up and hide Him beside the church door. Do you then go about your activities for the rest of the week being a secret Christian? No one notices you are a Christian as you talk like, act like and make decisions like every other worldly person who never has seen the inside of a church. Then the following Sunday, you arrive at church, find Jesus where you hid Him just outside the door of the church, unwrap Him and stroll into church with your arm around Jesus’ shoulders like you are best friends. You are a secret Christian.
It is time we stop being secret Christians and become courageous Christians, willing to risk worldly gains for the blessings God has in His storehouse for us.
Keep Praying!!!
Pastor Tim
