Thought for 21 April

 

John 12:42-43

Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue.  For they loved human praise more than the praise of God. 

Well, Easter has once again been remembered, the Lord is risen, Hallelujah, but the story continues through reflection on what Jesus taught while he walked the earth and the witness of his teachings through the work of the apostles including Paul. 

What is important to note from today’s reading is that scripture tells us that some of the Jewish leaders (most probably a small minority) did believe in Jesus.  Even if they had not witnessed the works of Jesus themselves, they would have had a network of reliable informants that heard the words that Jesus spoke and witnessed some of the miraculous feats he performed and then fed all this information back to those same leaders.  Despite all this truthful and verified information, they did not have the conviction to stand up in defence of the Lord, but rather, went with the majority that chose to condemn him.  Although they knew the truth, they preferred to retain their position as Jewish leaders rather than jeopardise it. 

Nicodemus was one of these Jewish leaders, a Pharisee, who John tells us was a secret disciple of Jesus.  He came to meet Jesus in person, but he came at night so no one could see him making this approach.  One of the things Jesus told him was ‘But if you don’t even believe me when I tell you about things that happen here on earth, how can you possibly believe if I tell you what is going on in heaven?’ 

Nicodemus also brought the embalming ointment to prepare the body of Jesus after the crucifixion and assisted Joseph of Arimathea to wrap his body in the long linen burial cloth and place him in the tomb. 

It looks like Nicodemus did have belief in Jesus but could not make this belief known to his fellow Pharisees or he would lose the high religious position that he held.  At one point he asked his fellow Pharisees in defence of Jesus ‘is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?’  At that time, the rulers of the temple assumed Jesus was from Galilee and did not know that he had been born in Bethlehem.  The Pharisees knew that the scriptures said the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem so, by their thinking, how could a man they assumed had been born in Galilee possibly be the Messiah? 

In conclusion, is it enough to be a secret Christian?  Is it enough to keep our beliefs to ourselves?  Is it enough to do our work in the dark so we will not be seen?  Do we risk getting in the same position as Peter and denying that we have any knowledge of our Saviour? 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us the courage to graciously stand up and confess our faith in Jesus.  We truly believe that you sent Jesus to die for our sins and give us the opportunity of defeating sin and death through what he did on our behalf.  Please help us live that faith before the people with whom we interact, regardless of their acceptance or rejection of us because of this faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.