The Final Week of Jesus' Life: An 8-Day Holy Week Devotional SeriesSampel

Wednesday: Privately Worshipped, Publicly Denied—The Ache of Secret Discipleship

The apostle John wrote that despite Jesus’ numerous miracles, many disbelieved his message. Here is a hard truth: we often think if unbelievers could just experience a true miracle, they would believe. But scripture tells us otherwise. Even though there were people who saw Lazarus raised from the dead, they still did not believe, but rather began to plot Jesus’s death more earnestly! Such unbelief fulfilled the prophetic message of Isaiah 53. A note in the Nelson Study Bible about this passage says, “The consequence of repeated rejection is loss of the capacity to believe. Isaiah taught that some could not believe because God hardened their hearts after they repeatedly rejected the truth.”

On the other hand, in this passage we see those who did believe, but would not openly confess their faith. “Rulers” in the text refers to the Jewish religious leaders. The reason for their secrecy is revealed in John 12:43: “They loved the praise of people more than the praise of God.” Their position in the religious community, and the acceptance of their peers was of utmost importance to them. We may be quick to condemn them, but who of us has not done the same? Too many times, I must acknowledge, I have loved the praise of people rather than the praise of God.

It’s important, then, to see the significance of John 19:38–40, where we read that Joseph of Arimathea (a secret disciple of Christ) and Nicodemus (who came to see Jesus secretly at night) were the men willing to go to Pilate and remove Jesus’ body from the cross. They then buried Him according to Jewish law and custom. I am so grateful John included this bit of information in his Gospel. Despite the public denial of their faith in Christ, they were the ones willing to go to Pilate. They were the last ones to see Jesus’ wounds. The challenge in our reading today is this: Am I a secret disciple? Too fearful to confess Christ because of what others think? The reader can’t help but wonder how Joseph and Nicodemus felt on Sunday!

Prayer for Today: Lord, forgive me for being a secret disciple at times. It is my wretched pride that wants to glory in myself rather than in you. Help me to never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ, I know it is the power of God for salvation. May I be so filled with love for you, that I care only what you think of me. Amen.

Photo Collection of Susie Hawkins, Jerusalem Old City Scene, 2019