Resurrection Talk Overpowers Fear

As we come to the end of Resurrection Week and our theme of Resurrection Talk, we have been exercising our faith in realizing and believing that Resurrection Talk was going on, as Jesus was crucified, dying on a cross. Today, we continue to operate on faith as we look at Joseph, a hidden disciple of Jesus. In John 19: 38b, we read this. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. Why was he afraid of the Jewish leaders? What could they do to him? Here’s background information which is crucial to understanding all that we are about to witness.  

Here’s personal information about the man. Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man. Luke 23: 50. We are also told this vital information. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Luke 23: 51b. Straightaway, we begin to put things together, and understand a bit more about his gripping fear. Joseph is a current member of the persuasive, powerful and prevailing Council of Jews, the Sanhedrin. As a member of this powerful Body of Jewish men, Joseph is present when Pilate calls them together and gives them his verdict about Jesus, their prisoner. Remember, Joseph is a disciple of the very prisoner who is before the Council.

This auspicious Council, comprising of the Jewish leaders, elders and rulers, have taken Jesus to Pilate, accusing Jesus of subversion, a very serious indictment indeed. Pilate respects this Council of high powered Jewish men and examines Jesus. After a thorough investigation, Pilate calls the Council and informs them of his findings. You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Luke 23: 14. On three occasions Pilate tries to find out why the Council wants to have this innocent man killed. Listen to what Luke 23: 22 says about Pilate. For the third time he spoke to them: Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.

Remember, Joseph is a part of the Council. Check these facts.

He is physically present when all this is taking place.

He is there listening to Pilate show that Jesus is not guilty.

He is there when Pilate wants to have Jesus released.

He is hearing how Pilate is rooting for Jesus.

He is there all right, as an ardent member of the Council, but as a secret, hurting, afraid disciple of Jesus, the prisoner.  

Joseph has a good and upright heart, but alas, not all people with good hearts, have brave hearts. Joseph is not a man with a brave heart. He hears them speaking all this erroneous, malicious and evil talk about his Master, but he is dead in the darkness of fear. He is facing a most heart-wrenching situation, yet he is so held in the gripping hands of fear, he is no marketable use to himself or his Master. He has no authority to turn the minds of his colleagues, or even try to reason with them at this stage. What does Joseph do, this man who is afraid of the Council?   

He does not run away from the insane, inhumane behavior of his colleagues, nor does he become belligerent and boisterous, trying to shout them down. He listens in deep pain and agonizing hurt, as his Council members, the ones he has sat among for years, take on the face of the devil himself. He grieves inside for them, as they simply cannot see, and accept what even the secular, non-religious Pilate sees and publicly announces about Jesus being innocent of any crime warranting death. Fear has this secret disciple in a very dark place indeed. He is physically impotent and powerless to stay the execution of the Man in whom he sees unexplainably bright flashes of the Kingdom of God.

Keep listening! Keep looking! Keep seeing! Has some match of Resurrection Light been lit in Joseph? Is something taking place inside of this secret disciple, something of Resurrection dawning? Are the crippling, dark clouds of fear beginning to dissipate? Is Joseph beginning to lose the darkness of fear? In Luke 23: 51a, it clearly states that Joseph, had not consented to their decision and action. Are these not resurrection changes taking place in this secret disciple? His dissenting voice is not even heard or considered, but his conscience will be clear in this matter. 

Is it at all possible that Joseph is being spoken to, deep within his heart, his spirit, his very being, by the Spirit of Jesus Himself, through His suffering and sure crucifixion? Is he coming to the realization that the very battered and bruised prisoner, the hated, scoffed at and mocked Rabbi, who is seen by his own colleagues as of the devil, is the Kingdom of God, for whom he has been waiting?

Just look at this man from Arimathea. Observe how a disciple of Jesus, one afraid to let his colleagues know that he follows Jesus, is so made different, he stays put after it is all done. After Jesus is murdered, Joseph remains behind. The jubilant Council leaves, rejoicing with all the Jewish people, on their victory, but not Joseph. Something different is happening and has happened to Joseph. He dares to turn back and go to Pilate, as he seeks permission to have the dead Body of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Luke 23: 52. 

This man, still dressed in his full Council clothes; this man, showing no concern for what will be thought of him by the members of the Council; this man, who is grieving silently, while all his fellow brethren are rejoicing publicly; this man is constrained to turn the other way and go back and ask for the dead Body of Jesus. What Transformation!

We leave this Resurrecting Talk celebrating! We are not just celebrating the fact that Jesus lives, but that because of Him, secret disciples of His, are now open about their discipleship, serving God like a light on a lampstand, or a city on a hill. What Illumination!

Behold! A disciple, serving in secret for fear of his position and perhaps his life, is now a disciple in exposed, Resurrection Light. Faith allows us to know and believe that in his spirit, he heard Jesus’ Resurrection Talk.

Perhaps you have been living in fear of being a disciple of Jesus; please know that Resurrection Talk, can speak deep within the recesses of your heart. Resurrection Talk still has power to change crippling fear into celebrating joy and praise. What Jubilation!