Take Courage

Daily Reading:  Mark 15

Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15.43)

Devotional Thought: When Joseph of Arimathea went to ask for the body of Jesus, he had to take courage.  Why?

·       He was a respected member of the council. Joseph had a reputation to maintain.  He had power and influence that would be forfeited if he identified himself as a follower of the discredited and disgraced Jesus.  It is quite natural to protect one’s security and even one’s standing in the community.  To risk those things required courage.  Have you ever had to lay your reputation on the line in order to do the right thing, in order to give verbal or visual support to a “have-not”?

·       He was going to Pilate.  Not only were there “religious” implications to his taking care of the body of Jesus, but there were also “legal” implications.  Giving support to Jesus, one could be viewed as an insurgent and face official persecution by the government.  Burying the body of Jesus could have resulted in his own burial!

·       He was going to become unclean during the Passover Feast. Besides social and legal ramifications, the decision to bury Jesus’ body would render Joseph unclean during this high and holy time.  He would not be able to participate in the festival.  This was a very serious thing for devout Jews, who would normally do whatever it took to keep from missing it.

In all three of these risks – social, legal, and spiritual – Joseph was only mirroring what Jesus had already done for us.  Jesus “came to his own, but his own received him not.”  He was crucified by the powers of an unjust government.  And finally, he bore the spiritual uncleanness of our sins when he died upon the cross.

Have I taken courage when it comes to following Jesus?

Prayer: Great Savior!  I think about the courage you displayed to bear my sins on the cross.  Grant that your courage would fill my heart that I might follow you no matter the cost.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 9.7-12

7 But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for justice,

8 and he judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.

9 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

10 And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.

11 Sing praises to the Lord, who sits enthroned in Zion! Tell among the peoples his deeds!

12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.