To be a disciple like this!

Reflecting on Matthew 27:57-61

“Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.” (Matthew 27:57)
As a Jesus follower, I want to be open about my faith in Jesus.
Not arrogant or pushy, but open and honest.
Willing to let my reputation be undermined, for Jesus’s sake.

Joseph had a lot to lose, if he was rich.
To be public about his following Jesus could work against him.
Especially now that Jesus was crucified as an enemy of the state.
But it seems that Joseph was won over by Jesus’s message.
Including the message to put love of others before love of money.
He had nothing to gain by burying Jesus in his tomb.
He had everything to lose.
Imagine going to Pilate to ask to honour this crucified rebel.

Joseph, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were not fearful or ashamed.
But what about the other disciples, where were they?
“Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.” (Matthew 26:56)
It says something that these ones stay, while the twelve flee.
The one’s chosen to lead flee…

I want to follow – not flee — Jesus, even when it gets hard.
As more people seem to mock faith and reject Jesus, will I still follow?
As my situation seems more and more hopeless, will I still serve?
Jesus was dead, their hopes were dashed – and they still showed up!
They still declared their loyalty, even though their leader was dead.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” (Romans 1:16)
The weakness of Jesus, Christ crucified, is the power of God!
It is through His humble gracious love that Jesus sets things right.
It is through refusing to give up, and bringing hope to the hopeless.
This gospel I can support, not the ‘gospel’ often pushed by the church.

A disciple is a student, someone who wants to learn from their teacher.
Like Joseph and the Mary’s, I want to humbly show up, even if its risky or hard.
To learn from Jesus what being a servant means, and to serving that way.
To devote myself, my reputation, my blessings, to serving Him.
To serving Jesus by serving others, in the same humble gracious way.
To offer what I can to honour the Jesus I believe in.
I want to “become a disciple of Jesus” like Joseph was!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I want to be Your disciple, learning what it means to humbly love, serve and bless others like You did… even when it is risky and hard.

Like Joseph and these Mary’s, I want to be there WITH, LIKE and FOR You, so that others can know and experience Your radical love.