From cowardice to courage
Second part

As to their cowardice, it is of interest to us, that on the night when Jesus' fate hung in the balance before the Jewish Supreme Court, Joseph was absent. Was he conveniently absent? And yet, according to the record, he had disagreed with the decision of the court. He had been so afraid to express his personal opinion in public.

Still another reason, related to what we have just said, is open discipleship by Nicodemus and Joseph would be costly. In contrast to those secret disciples was the street woman named Mary who had the temerity to gate-crash a Pharisee's dinner for Jesus. She anointed Jesus with very expensive perfume (equivalent to a year's laborer's wages), the content dropping freely onto the floor.

In the case of Nicodemus and Joseph, open discipleship would cost. One very apt example of their type is in India where Hindus who embrace Christianity dare not come out into the open, refuse the rite of baptism, for fear they could be disinherited by their families. For Nicodemus and Joseph it would mean loss of property, loss of power, loss of influence in their society, loss of a big name.

Aren't we essentially like Joseph and Nicodemus? Imagine how much it would cost us to be too open with our faith and loyalty to Jesus.

The second part of our reflection today has to do with the courage of Nicodemus and Joseph after the crucifixion of Jesus. Why do they now pluck up courage to do something quite unpopular but really beautiful for Jesus? Why do they now come out into the open and declare themselves indeed that they have been disciples of the crucified Lord?

There are three steps in their journey from cowardice to courage.

To begin with, they share with us humans the usual tendency to express in word and deed our deep indebtedness to one who had been a benefactor to us in his lifetime of unselfish service only after that person is gone. In the case of Nicodemus and Joseph their indebtedness to Jesus was for introducing to them a glowing faith, although it was a secret faith for the moment.

We are witnesses to this phenomenon at funerals and memorials. Somehow our memories are sharpened at the sentimental occasion of a funeral service, and we recall the deeds of these who had been a blessing to us. And we express our admiration for the dead in our eulogies.

From the sense of deep indebtedness, there also was the strong effect of Jesus on them, particularly in the way he died. Sensitive in spirit as these two were, they could not help but be won by the captivating influence of the Man on the cross. They had known the claim of Jesus: "I, if I be lifted up, shall draw all men and women to me." It is not only in the way a man lives, but also in the way he dies, isn't it, that casts a mighty influence on our own attitude towards the person. TO BE CONTINUED*

back to top