Be Bold To Stand For Jesus

Many of us during the first few days after we have come to know Jesus intimately, we keep it a secret from our families, friends or even coworkers. We are not ready or bold enough to face the criticism that may arise. And during the initial days you might be just getting to know about Christ and learning about the Word.

Let's look at the lives of two characters from the Bible - Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.
In the gospel of John we find that Joseph and Nicodemus were secretive about their faith in Christ.

Matthew 10:32-33
“Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.”

Nicodemus was never bold enough to come to Jesus during the day. He used to approach Jesus at night. Nicodemus was very well versed in the first five books of the Bible. He was highly qualified. He was fascinated by Jesus because Jesus not only with His words but with His deeds too proved that He came from God. Nicodemus was attracted to Jesus because He was different from every other Rabbi he had met or seen.

Though initially he kept it a secret, eventually he went public with his faith in the Lord.

John 7:50-51
‘Nicodemus, who had gone to Jesus earlier and who was one of their own number, asked, “Does our law condemn a man without first hearing him to find out what he has been doing?”’

Nicodemus is questioning the Jewish leaders. He is standing up boldly for Jesus. What brought about this change in him? The previous night he had visited Jesus and was taught by him. And his eyes were opened to the truth. His love for Jesus grew inside.

Once known as a secret disciple of Jesus - now boldly speaking for him. Isn’t that wonderful?

Moving on to John 19:38-39
‘Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.’

We read about Joseph of Arimathea in the book of John. He was another secret follower of Jesus. He was very rich but at the same time was also afraid of the Jewish leaders. He went and asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body.

What can we understand from the lives of both of these disciples from the Bible?
During a crucial time when no one else bothered, Joseph and Nicodemus stood boldly for Jesus.

There are many of us who are living in secret about our faith in Christ. You need to be ready for when the time comes to boldly proclaim your love for Jesus. We should not miss any opportunity that may come our way to share about the love of Christ.

Proverbs 29:25
‘Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.’

Matthew 10:28-31
‘Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.’