One of the things lacking in much of modern Christianity today is moral courage, the courage to do right even if you have to stand alone. May we find some inspiration from a man named Joseph to stand up at the right time no matter the consequences.

When was one of the hardest times you have had to take a stand?

Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish high council, 51 but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. 52 He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. 54 This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation, as the Sabbath was about to begin. —Luke 23:50-54 (NLT)

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. —John 19:38 (NLT)

All 4 Gospels tell us tell us the story of this man from Arimathea who stepped forward to claim and bury the body of Jesus. One of the things we learn is that he was a member of the “high council” (or Sanhedrin).

What would this mean?

Faith will demand that we

In what ways did Joseph show great courage (Mark 14:43)?

Faith will demand that we

What were some of the costs that Joseph had to pay?

Faith does not always demand that we

What do we know about the other person who helped bury Jesus?

He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. 40 Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. —John 19:39-40 (NLT)

This small detail gives us a hint of their boldness. The amount of ointment mentioned here is only fit for a king.

What are they declaring by the care they give to Jesus burial?

In what ways do you need to take a stand and declare that Jesus is King in your life?