Text: Matthew 27:57-61

In our Christian walk there comes a time courage is awakened and true faith revealed. For Joseph the unjust condemnation of Jesus was that time. From the Scriptures we know that Joseph was a “rich man” (Matthew 27:57), “a councilor of honorable estate,” or member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43; Luke 23:50), “a good and righteous man … who was looking for the kingdom of God” (Luke 23:50; Mark 15:43), and “himself was Jesus’ disciple” (Matthew 27:57; John 19:38). Yet he kept his discipleship secret “for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38) until that time.

When that time came for Joseph’s fear was replaced with courage and his  apprehension exchanged for boldness as he stood before Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. When his request was granted Joseph took the Lord’s mangled corpse, wrapped it in linen, laid it in his tomb, and “rolled a stone to the door of the sepulcher” (cf. Matthew 27:60). For him, it no longer mattered what others thought or would possibly do—Joseph just wanted Jesus.

Recall those times when courage was awakened in you and your faith revealed; establish them as anchor points in your Christian walk. Prepare yourself for another opportunity in the near future for a new anchor point of courage to be established from an act of Christian valor. Pray against fear in the body of Christ, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV); pray for fear in the unbeliever, “And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 1:23 KJV).