In any situation, there are always choices to make. Some are easy, some are hard, so which do you do? Do you run from the situation, hoping that putting it out of your mind and presence will take care of it, or do you stick it out with courage, seeking wisdom from the Lord? In Matthew chapters 26 and 27, we have the account of Jesus’ last words to His disciples and how they responded.
Jesus was about to die for their sins and ours. At the Passover supper (Mat. 26:21) Jesus talked to the disciples and told them he would be betrayed: “And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” They began to ask and ponder who it might be. Judas finally asked Jesus if he was the one, and in verse 25 Jesus said, “Thou hast said.” After finishing the meal and singing a hymn, they went to the mount of Olives on their way to the garden of Gethsemane, which was a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives. This was just before Jesus was arrested.
Jesus again tells them in Matthew 26:31 “Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.” After Jesus tells them what they will all do Peter makes his bold statement in Matthew 26:35 “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” Note: it wasn’t just Peter who said this, they all declared it.
It wasn’t long before Jesus words were true. In Mark 14:50 “And they all forsook him, and fled.” They came back later, but at that moment, they ran. Fear can be a huge motivator if we let it. However, we do find a great example of those who withstood their fears and were committed to being with Jesus all the way to the tomb. In Matthew 27:57 we find Joseph, a rich man from Arimathaea who was also a disciple of Jesus, stepping into the picture. In Mark 15:43 he is noted as an honorable counselor and in John 19:38-40 we learn that he went secretly to Pilate because he feared the Jews. He was using wisdom to gain the body of Jesus, but even in the face of fear, he proceeded. Pilate grants him the body after finding out that Jesus was already dead. Joseph had help from Nicodemus, another notable believer who went to Jesus during the night to find out who this Messiah was. Nicodemus gathered and prepared the spices, they received the body from the soldiers, wrapped the body in linen, and placed the body in the tomb. This tomb wasn’t just any tomb. It wasn’t just an empty cave; it was a prepared place for a body. It had probably been hued out at great expense for Joseph himself.
Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple:
John 19:38-40 “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.”
Mark 15:43” Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.”
Mark 15:47 “And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.”
We also have scripture that let us know of others who was with Jesus to the end. In Mark 15:47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were at the tomb. What was it about these individuals that caused them to allow their faith to override their fears. It was their love, their devotion to following the One they called Messiah. They were committed even if it meant detriment to them. This is where we need to be in our walk with Christ. We don’t have to be ugly and sound judgmental, but we do need to be fully committed to the cause of Christ. Our sole desire should be to please Him in all we do. There are so many ways the church has allowed the ways of the world to infiltrate the church that it muddies the waters of our priorities and our love for Christ. What are you doing, what are you sacrificing to draw so close to Jesus that you would allow someone to take your life rather than you deny Him? How about if they were going to kill your children, would you still stand for Christ or would you rationalize it out that God would understand. Think about it and examine your life to see where you stand. Will you stick it out or will you run?
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas you need to change to be able to withstand persecution and maybe death for Christ. Prepare your heart now while there is time.
