Moment of Meditation: Joseph (Matthew 27:57)

''When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus (Matthew 27:57).''

Joseph of Arimathea was a shy disciple. He wouldn't publicly profess his belief in Jesus while Jesus was alive. Out of fear, he kept quiet as the rest of the Sanhedrin plotted to put Jesus to death.

But after Jesus' crucifixion, Joseph was emboldened. He came forward as the sun was going down. His riches did not serve as a source of security for him. He was willing to leave it all behind for Jesus now.

This is what Jesus wishes the rich young ruler would have done in Luke 18. But the rich young ruler went away sad because he trusted in his riches. Joseph no longer needed his riches. He professed his faith in Jesus regardless of the consequences.

This is supposed to be the motto for the end-times Christian. We strive to enter Heaven, shrugging off everything that weighs us down. This is how we run the race of the Christian faith, following Joseph's example. Amen.