A TIME FOR BOLD ACTION
|
While many of the Jewish leaders were plotting against Jesus, there are hints throughout the gospel stories that some among the leaders were curious about Jesus and quietly supportive of Him. We have already noted that Nicodemus was “a member of the Jewish ruling council” who met with Jesus under cover of darkness (see John 3:1, 2).
He later spoke up carefully in a meeting of the leading priests and Pharisees and was accused of being a Galilean (see John 7:50–52), but he did not reveal his allegiance to Jesus until His burial (see John 19:39). John’s Gospel hints that amid the ongoing conflicts and plots of the priests and leaders concerning Jesus, there were more leaders who may have been covert followers of Jesus. “Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God” (John 12:42, 43). Among this group of leaders was Joseph of Arimathea, the first to step out, boldly asking the Roman governor for permission to bury Jesus and providing his own nearby tomb for the burial. Perhaps prompted by the miscarriage of justice that he had seen in the council, he risked his reputation and place in society to demonstrate his allegiance to Jesus.
Remarkably, he expressed his support at exactly the moment when Jesus seemed most defeated. Whether it was regret that he had not spoken up sooner or hope that this was not the end of Jesus’ story, Joseph overcame his fear and provided for Jesus in a way that none of His other followers were able to.
