Identifying with Christ: Courage, Burial, and Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Courageous Faith in Action

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, both esteemed members of the Jewish council, displayed extraordinary courage by stepping forward to care for Jesus' body after His crucifixion. Despite the potential risks to their status and safety, they chose to publicly identify with Jesus in His death. This act of devotion challenges us to embrace both the suffering and glory of Christ, stepping out of the shadows to live our faith openly. Their example calls us to consider how we might demonstrate similar courage in our own lives, standing firm in our beliefs even when it means going against the majority. [09:24]

John 12:42-43 (ESV): "Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God."

Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you feel called to stand up for your faith, even if it means facing opposition or discomfort? How can you take a step towards that today?

Day 2: Living with Kingdom Anticipation

Joseph of Arimathea was described as a good and just man who was waiting for the Kingdom of God. His anticipation of God's kingdom transformed his life, leading him to act justly and righteously. This teaches us that our hope in God's kingdom should influence our daily actions, prompting us to live lives that reflect our faith and commitment to Christ. By living with a focus on the eternal kingdom, we can find purpose and direction in our everyday decisions, aligning our lives with God's will. [14:13]

Hebrews 11:13-16 (ESV): "These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland."

Reflection: How does your anticipation of God's kingdom influence your daily decisions and actions? What is one specific way you can live more justly today in light of this hope?

Day 3: The Significance of Burial

The burial of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a significant part of the gospel narrative. It confirms Jesus' death and symbolizes the need for us to bury our old selves. This act of burial signifies a complete break from our past sins and a commitment to living a new life in Christ. Just as Jesus was buried, we too must bury our old lives, fully committing to the new life in Christ. This transformation requires us to let go of past habits and embrace the new identity we have in Him. [37:38]

Colossians 3:3-4 (ESV): "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Reflection: What is one aspect of your old life that you need to bury in order to fully embrace your new life in Christ? How can you take a step towards doing that today?

Day 4: Remaining Faithful as a Remnant

Despite the widespread rejection of Jesus, there remained a faithful remnant who truly sought Him. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus represent this remnant, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our faith, focusing on Christ and His kingdom, even when others may turn away. In a world where faith can be marginalized, their example inspires us to hold fast to our beliefs and continue seeking Jesus with sincerity and devotion. [18:03]

1 Kings 19:18 (ESV): "Yet I will leave seven thousand in Israel, all the knees that have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him."

Reflection: In what ways can you remain faithful to Christ even when those around you may not share your beliefs? How can you encourage others to do the same?

Day 5: Embracing the Cross

Identifying with Jesus means embracing the cross and its associated shame and suffering. This identification is crucial for experiencing the fullness of resurrection life and ultimately sharing in Christ's glory. By embracing the cross, we acknowledge the cost of discipleship and the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice. This journey requires us to accept the challenges and trials that come with following Jesus, trusting that they lead to a deeper relationship with Him and a share in His eternal glory. [21:50]

Galatians 6:14 (ESV): "But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."

Reflection: What does it mean for you to embrace the cross in your daily life? How can you find strength in Christ to endure the challenges that come with following Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection on Luke 23:50 through Luke 24:12, we delve into the profound moments following Jesus' crucifixion, focusing on the actions of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. These two men, members of the Jewish council, demonstrate remarkable courage and faith by stepping forward to care for Jesus' body. Despite their high status and the potential risks involved, they choose to identify with Jesus in his death, setting aside their positions and embracing the brokenness of the cross. This act of devotion highlights the necessity for us to identify with Jesus not only in his glory but also in his suffering and death.

Joseph of Arimathea, described as a good and just man, was waiting for the Kingdom of God. His actions remind us that our anticipation of God's kingdom should transform our lives, leading us to live justly and righteously. The burial of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a significant part of the gospel narrative. It confirms Jesus' death and challenges us to consider our own spiritual death and burial of the old self. Just as Jesus was buried, we too must bury our old lives, fully committing to the new life in Christ.

The burial also serves as a reminder of the remnant of faithful believers who, despite the widespread rejection of Jesus, remained steadfast in their faith. This remnant, represented by Joseph and Nicodemus, encourages us to remain faithful and focused on the eternal kingdom, even when the world and the broader church may turn away from Christ.

Key Takeaways

1. Courage in Faith: Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus exemplify the courage required to stand for Christ, even when it means going against the majority. Their actions challenge us to step out of the shadows and publicly identify with Jesus, embracing both his suffering and his glory. [09:24]
2. Living for the Kingdom: Joseph's anticipation of the Kingdom of God transformed his life, leading him to act justly. This teaches us that our hope in God's kingdom should influence our daily actions, prompting us to live lives that reflect our faith and commitment to Christ. [14:13]
3. The Importance of Burial: The burial of Jesus confirms his death and symbolizes the need for us to bury our old selves. This act of burial signifies a complete break from our past sins and a commitment to living a new life in Christ. [37:38]
4. The Remnant of Faithful Believers: Despite widespread rejection, there remains a faithful remnant who truly seek Jesus. This encourages us to remain steadfast in our faith, focusing on Christ and his kingdom, even when others may turn away. [18:03]
5. Embracing the Cross: Identifying with Jesus means embracing the cross and its associated shame and suffering. This identification is crucial for experiencing the fullness of resurrection life and ultimately sharing in Christ's glory. [21:50]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to Luke 23:50-24:12
[00:29] - Joseph of Arimathea's Request
[01:22] - The Women at the Tomb
[02:46] - Jesus' Death and Burial
[03:42] - Joseph's Courage and Faith
[06:01] - The Role of the Sanhedrin
[09:24] - Secret Discipleship and Public Faith
[12:00] - Waiting for the Kingdom of God
[14:13] - Living Justly for the Kingdom
[18:03] - The Faithful Remnant
[21:50] - Embracing the Cross
[25:34] - The Significance of Jesus' Burial
[37:38] - Burying the Old Life
[45:15] - Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 23:50-24:12
- John 3:1-21 (Nicodemus' encounter with Jesus)
- Isaiah 53:9 (Prophecy about Jesus' burial)

Observation Questions:

What actions did Joseph of Arimathea take after Jesus' crucifixion, and what do these actions reveal about his character? [03:42]
How did the women who followed Jesus from Galilee respond to His burial, and what does this indicate about their devotion? [32:18]
What was the significance of the tomb being new and hewn out of rock, and how does this fulfill prophecy? [25:50]
How did the disciples initially react to the news of Jesus' resurrection, and what does this tell us about their state of mind? [02:18]

Interpretation Questions:

What does Joseph of Arimathea's anticipation of the Kingdom of God teach us about the relationship between faith and action? [12:15]
How does the burial of Jesus serve as a confirmation of His death, and why is this important for the gospel narrative? [33:18]
In what ways do Joseph and Nicodemus exemplify courage in faith, and how can this be applied to modern-day believers? [09:24]
What does the presence of a faithful remnant, like Joseph and Nicodemus, suggest about God's work among His people, even in times of widespread rejection? [18:03]

Application Questions:

Joseph and Nicodemus took a public stand for Jesus despite potential risks. Is there a situation in your life where you need to step out of the shadows and publicly identify with your faith? What might that look like? [09:24]
Joseph's life was transformed by his anticipation of God's kingdom. How does your hope in God's kingdom influence your daily actions and decisions? Can you think of a specific area where this hope could lead to change? [14:13]
The burial of Jesus symbolizes the need to bury our old selves. What aspects of your old life do you need to fully commit to burying in order to embrace a new life in Christ? [37:38]
Despite widespread rejection, a remnant remained faithful. How can you remain steadfast in your faith when those around you may turn away from Christ? What practices or habits can help you stay focused on the eternal kingdom? [18:03]
Embracing the cross involves accepting both its shame and suffering. How can you embrace the challenges and sacrifices of following Jesus in your own life? What specific steps can you take to identify more closely with His suffering? [21:50]
Reflect on the role of the women who followed Jesus to the tomb. How can you demonstrate similar devotion and faithfulness in your own spiritual journey? [32:18]
The burial of Jesus confirms His death and challenges us to consider our own spiritual death. How can you ensure that your old self is truly buried and not influencing your current life? What practical steps can you take to live out this commitment? [37:38]

Sermon Clips

Joseph of Arimathea, described as a good and just man, was waiting for the Kingdom of God. His actions remind us that our anticipation of God's kingdom should transform our lives, leading us to live justly and righteously. The burial of Jesus is not merely a historical event but a significant part of the gospel narrative. [00:00:38]

Joseph is a council member, so he's one of the Sanhedrin. Remember that Israel is ruled from a religious point of view by a council called the Sanhedrin, 70 elders of Israel, all scholars, theologians if you will, plus the high priest. The high priest had the casting vote, so if you had 35 and 35 in a vote, the high priest would. [00:04:48]

We can be secret disciples to a certain point, but the time comes when we have to stand up and be counted. We can't keep hiding in the shadows. And so, I think that these two men really stand out of all the people in Israel. [00:09:34]

Joseph has his eyes on the kingdom, and he is just. It affects the way that we live. You see, here's the problem today: we find many Christians live compromised lives, live lives that are involved in sin and all sorts of unrighteousness and all sorts of immorality and are worldly in every way. [00:14:50]

God always has his remnant. He always has a few who remain faithful to him. And so, there at the beginning, you remember that when Jesus was born, it was dark times in the history of Israel. There was no open vision anymore; God was not speaking. [00:16:05]

Joseph sets aside his position, sets aside his fancy robes, set society's privilege, and embraces the broken body of the Lord Jesus. In fact, unfortunately, we sometimes somehow sanitize our relationship with him. Yeah, it's an empty cross; we don't know. [00:23:15]

The burial confirms his death. One of the conspiracy theories that has always floated around is that Jesus never really died, that he was in a coma, and that somehow they took his body down, and they were able to resuscitate him, and he was able to survive. [00:33:46]

The burial is also important because the burial speaks of two things: speaks of something concerning Jesus and something concerning us. The burial confirms his death. The burial confirms his death. [00:34:08]

We need to bury the old life. We need to put away the old life. We need to say, "I'm not interested in keeping it in reserve," that somehow I've got it in the closet, and somehow when it suits me, I want to bring it back to life again. [00:38:14]

The problem is that we don't bury half of us. When we baptize folk, one of my jobs when I do the baptizing is to make sure I get everything under. And of course, it doesn't, it's not the end of the world if guys with a bit of a stomach. [00:40:02]

The message is clear. That's why we baptize by immersion, and we don't sprinkle because we're saying the old man is buried. It's all under the water; it's all gone. There is no more old man coming back out of the water, new man. [00:40:39]

Have you really died? And if you have, why won't you put away the things of the flesh? Why won't you bury those habits? Why won't you bury those thoughts? Why won't you bury that lifestyle? Because if you've died, it needs to be buried. [00:41:59]

Ask a question about this sermon

SermonIndex.net This sermon · AI assistant

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?