Reading through the last few verses of John 19 today. In it the writer tells the story of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
Joseph is described as a ‘secret’ disciple of Jesus. He feared the Jewish leaders, yet knew Jesus was the Messiah.
Nicodemus was the man who had come to Jesus at night and came to the realisation that he needed to be born again.
How interesting that while Jesus was alive, both these men believed in Him, yet did not have the courage to come out and say it.
Now, at this point in the story, that Jesus is dead, both these fearful blokes come and take the body, sacrificing their money, time and risking the wrath of both the Jewish leaders and Roman ones, and ensure Jesus has a good and proper burial.
Maybe this was their ‘chronos’ moment. By that I mean the time when they were destined to serve Jesus. For much of their life they had been afraid to do so, now when things are at their bleakest, these two men act courageously and mercifully, perhaps even hopefully.
This is an an encouragement to anyone who has ever been fearful of standing up for what is right and good, your in good company. Maybe your ‘chronos’ time is yet to come, the time destined for you when God will have something for you to do, and you will do it.
That was a great post. I think the story of those two blokes and also the apostle Peter can bring great encouragement to those who are timid about their faith.