Daily Devotions
My Song In The Night (Gospel of John)
我夜间的歌曲 (约翰福音）
A Fearful Disciple Of Jesus
Text: John 19: 38
A FEARFUL DISCIPLE OF JESUS
There were a number of disciples of Jesus who had remained in the background. They were afraid of the Jews and thus, they did not openly declare themselves as disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.
“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.”
John 19:38
1. Who was Joseph of Arimathea?
a. He was described as a rich man (Matthew 27:57).
b. He had become a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57).
c. He was noted as “a prominent council member” (Mark 15:43).
d. He waited for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43).
e. He was called “a good and just man” (Luke 23:50).
f. He had not consented to the decision and deed of the Council (Luke 23:51).
2. Fear of the Jews
a. This fear was strong and real.
b. But he found courage to speak to Pilate (Mark 15:43).
3. “Asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus”
a. Pilate, of course, had to be sure that Jesus had really died.
b. He checked with the centurion on duty (Mark 15:44-45).
4. “And Pilate gave him permission”
a. Pilate had no real interest at all.
b. It did not matter to him who wanted the body of Jesus.
c. The Jews had not asked him.
d. Joseph of Arimathea was given permission to take the body of Jesus.
5. “So he came and took the body of Jesus”
a. He took the body of Jesus down (Luke 23:53).
b. He wrapped the body in linen (Luke 23:53).
c. He laid the body of Jesus in a tomb (Luke 23:53).
d. No one had ever used this tomb before (Luke 23:53).
经文：约翰福音19：38
耶稣心存恐惧的门徒
耶稣的一些门徒一直都尽量避免被人注意到。他们害怕犹太人，因此没有公开宣称自己是主耶稣基督的门徒。
“这些事以后，有亚利马太人约瑟，是耶稣的门徒，只因怕犹太人，就暗暗地做门徒，他来求彼拉多，要把耶稣的身体领去。彼拉多允准，他就把耶稣的身体领去了。”
《约翰福音 19：38》