Thought for the Day 4/10/2009

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus,
but a secret one for fear of the Jews,
asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus;
and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came,
bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.
So they took the body of Jesus and
bound it in linen wrappings with the spices,
as is the burial custom of the Jews.
John 19:38-40

Our fear of the opinions of the world can hold us back from being the type of disciple that Christ would have us be. And the more power and esteem we hold in this world, the harder it is to let it go.

Our inability to let go of this world to follow Christ really reflects a lack in our faith. But it is important that we understand that we are not alone. We can ask our Heavenly Father and he will give abundantly to us. He will give us opportunity to strengthen our faith and grow in Him and in His Son. Yes, growth comes with growing pains, but also with great joy.

Here these two disciples who could not stand forward previously, now find the courage to defile themselves publically for Jesus. Their actions would not be hidden for they would be unclean and unable to participate in the Passover rituals of that day because they had touched a dead body.
They also make sure that Christ's body is not dishonored and thrown in the rubbish heap outside the city, but rather given a proper burial. They treated him as they would a beloved family member for now they had publically declared themselves to be of the family of Christ.

God had taken a little mustard seed of faith and caused it to produce fruit. He can do the same with us.
Cynthia Pavia