OnFire Encouragement Letter

Hi folks:

The countdown is on for Mark’s trip to Denver. Just a few weeks to go. He’s getting more and more excited each day.

Its been cold, so very little map sap yet. But each day seems just a little bit warmer.

The podium I’m been working on is almost completed. It should be ready for Sunday and Easter. I’m looking forward to bringing it out.

That’s about it for this week. Blessings for your week.

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This is holy week, the time between the triumphal entry and the resurrection. It has long fascinated me how the crowds could go from shouting, “Hosanna,” to “Crucify.” We can be fickle people. I have one of those daily trivia  calendars and recently read about the newspaper reaction as Napoleon made his way back to Paris from exile in  1815. Opinion about him changed from the “cannibal” and “Corsican ogre” to “His imperial and royal majesty.” There is nothing like the threat of a vengeful ruler to change the public tune.

There were some people, however, who did not run from Jesus during this time. Some of the women and a few of the disciples hung around as Jesus hung on the cross. My favourite holy week character, however, is a guy who actually came out of the shadows and declared himself to be follower of Jesus. He  ha d been a secret follower, but when Jesus died, he decided he could hide no longer.

All four gospels tell us about Joseph of Arimathea. He was a rich man, and a prominent member of the most powerful Jewish body at the time, the Sanhedrin. He was good and upright, waiting for the kingdom of God. Luke tells us he did not consent to the decision to condemn Jesus.

More than this, John tells us he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, out of fear.

I remember going to Boy Scout camp one time. When it came time pack, I picked up my Bible and returned it to the shelf because I was afraid of what some of the others might say. When Sunday came, however, our leaders planned worship and asked me to read scripture. Ironic, huh?

I understand the fear. Joseph had a lot to lose and he knew how dangerous it was to be a follower of Jesus. If the other council members knew, he could lose his position, his status, he might be shunned, lose his wealth, income, and perhaps his life. And so Joseph was a secret follower.

But there was something about the death of Jesus that provoked Joseph out of his fear and he could no longer be a secret follower. That’s when he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. He knew someone had to take responsibility and see that Jesus had a decent burial before the Sabbath, which began at sundown. And so he took the initiative himself, despite the possible cost to himself.

After Pilate gave him permission, be bought burial cloth. Mark tells us that he removed Jesus from the cross. As gruesome as it sounds, someone had to do it. Somewhere along the way, Nicodemus got involved and provided about 75 pounds of burial spices. Together they wrapped the body, and placed it in Joseph’s own expensive new tomb. And then he rolled the heavy stone into place.

Jospeh finished the day as a different person. He was no longer a secret follower, and he was involved. Jesus’ blood stained his clothes. His hands smelled like myrrh and aloes. Dirt blackened his fingernails, and his muscles ached. If he could not serve Jesus in life, he would serve him in death.

We don’t ever see Joseph of Arimathea in the scriptures again. I’d like to think he was in the upper room when Jesus appeared to the disciples, but we can’t know. I would like to have been there when Jospeh saw Jesus alive. What a reunion it must have been.

Joseph inspires me. There is a part of me which wants to stay in the shadows with the old Joseph. Keep my identity hidden, and be a secret follower. I wish it weren’t so, but I’d be lying if I told you this part of me wasn’t there.

But Joseph’s example is amazing and powerful. The old Troy in me shrinks, and I get courage watching Joseph.

We don’t hear much about Joseph. Understandably, Jesus gets centre stage this week. But Joseph is one of those neat examples of people who inspire us to live with more courage, passion, and commitment.

I hope this helps. Be OnFire,

Troy

ON FIRE is a weekly letter of encouragement by Troy Dennis. To be added to or removed from the ON FIRE list contact him at onfireletter@gmail.com  . Archives are located at www.onfireletter.com This letter published Mar 18, 2008.