Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret followers of Jesus, men who could lose power and prestige if their peers knew. But, as with all secrets, theirs eventually came to light. Jesus was buried in Joseph’s family tomb, and Christian tradition holds that Nicodemus was eventually martyred for his faith.
Given that God created all things through Jesus (John 1:3) and that Jesus is repeatedly referred to as light (John 1:4-5), it seems that creation itself was designed to thwart secrecy. The light of Christ will reveal everything hidden in darkness. Either now or whenever we see Jesus face to face, all will be revealed.
For Joseph and Nicodemus, their faith was revealed well after their moment passed. Jesus was already crucified. You could say they missed the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity to stand with their Savior. What secrets obstruct your relationship with God? Rejoice in the knowledge that God’s grace frees us to “come clean” now and to live without the fear and shame of secrets.
By Wade Griffith from D365