John 19 – Loyalist
It’s amazing how much I continue to learn about myself.
John 19:1-42
Reference: v. 38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. (NIV Bible)
Explore: I would think that by the age of 30 I should have everything worked out already. Sadly, that is not the case. It’s amazing how much I continue to learn about myself. Last year I discovered that I was a very loyal person. If I feel I have a connection with someone then I will remain very loyal to them. I will go out of my way to support them and encourage them and help them to be all they can be. This is a really great attribute to have. However, this loyal characteristic also has a shadow side. If someone hurts me, or hurts the people close to me, then I find it very difficult to forgive them. Just as I am loyal to the person I trust, I find myself hold a grudge against those to whom I don’t trust. Since discovering this about myself I have really had to work at being more diligent about forgiving people who have hurt me.
Application: When Jesus was crucified his disciples would have been deeply hurt. Not only was one of their dearest friends being treated horrendously but this man had also held all of their hopes on his shoulders. I wonder if I had have been there how I would have felt towards Jesus. To be honest, if I thought this man was going to change the world, and here He was hanging on a cross, I probably would have felt betrayed. I’m not sure I would have been so forgiving of Him as He took His last breath and they pierced His side. And yet one of His disciples Joseph, while he may have feared the leaders of the time, had the compassion to ask for Jesus’ body and treat it as best as he could. Joseph was a true loyalist who, while no doubt feeling absolutely distraught on so many levels, put himself aside to treat the body of his friend with dignity and respect. As a loyalist, I can learn a lot from Joseph.
Prayer: Lord, help us to not judge others too quickly. When we feel hurt and emotional it’s hard not to jump to conclusions. During those hard times may we still look to give glory to You. Amen.
How easily do you turn on those who disappoint you?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.