Our Identity In Christ
LENT 2024 | HOLY SATURDAY DAY 40
Mark 15:42-47 (NIV)
(Alvin Tay, Chairperson, Local Church Executive Committee)
I would have expected one of the 11 disciples (excluding Judas) to ask for Jesus’ body to bury him. But no, all his disciples had fled. It was left to Joseph of Arimathea who boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Joseph’s courageous act was recorded in all 4 Gospels. He was a disciple of Jesus in secret, because he feared the Jewish leaders (John 19:38). A rich man (Matthew 27:57), Joseph was a prominent member of the Council who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43). He was a good and upright man, who had not consented to the Council’s decision and action towards Jesus (Luke 23:50-51).
Unlike Peter, who denied Jesus three times, Joseph went boldly to ask for Jesus’ body. Like the disciples, he also feared the Jewish leaders and had everything to lose. But he did the right thing because he cared about Jesus and wanted to give Him a proper burial. The 11 disciples were the closest to Jesus, having followed Him around in His ministry and had seen Him perform many miracles. We would expect them to be very grounded in their faith. Yet, they fled at the first sign of trouble. Joseph, on the other hand, followed Jesus from afar, yet he showed abundant faith when it was called for, even when doing the right thing could have cost him dearly.
Am I like Joseph, or like Peter, I wonder. I have been attending Bible study and spiritual formation courses like DISCIPLE and Companions in Christ for 10 years or more. I am serving God and seemingly walking closely with Jesus. But when trouble comes and hardship arises, will I succumb to fear and doubt? And walk away from Jesus?
Recently I was given a lesson in childlike faith. My eldest sister was diagnosed with a recurrence of cancer – stage 4 lung cancer. I was disappointed, of course, as she had accepted Christ only months earlier. I was worried she would regret doing so. My wife and I, together with my other sisters, were concerned how we should break the news to her. We discussed and came out with a strategy. It was not necessary. When we arrived at her hospital ward, the first thing she said to us was that she had seen a vision of Jesus. She also sensed the assurance of Jesus. And to our surprise, she took the bad news from the doctor very well. We were encouraged by her child like faith. She was like Joseph, overcoming her fear of cancer with faith in Christ. As I reflected on this passage, that episode came back to me. I am reminded of the resurrection hope of Jesus. In times of trouble and hardship, I will fix my eyes on Jesus and wait upon Him, no matter what my circumstances may be. Yes, it’s only Saturday; Sunday is coming!
And just for the record, my sister persevered and was baptised on Christmas Day. Praise the Lord!
DISCUSSION POINTERS:
1. Do you identify with Joseph, or the two Marys, or the disciples in this passage?
2. When trouble comes, will you doubt or deny Jesus?
3. How can you grow in faith?
Note: Mark 15:1-41 will be the Scripture passage for Good Friday, 29 March 2024, and Mark 16:1-20 for Easter Sunday, 31 March 2024.
And with that, we complete our reading of the book of Mark and reflection during this Season of Lent.
Let’s go forth to be better disciples of Jesus Christ and to reflect His light in our workplaces.
