Ari

Cowardice and fear. Two words that really are not the same.

Ari was afraid. Maybe he was afraid of losing his position, wealth, friends, even his life.

So, he kept a secret. Ari’s loyalty rose above human terror to be replaced by courage, loyalty and love.

Ari’s secret could have been discovered at any time. Really, the other men he worked with should have guessed. There was a rumor that Ari actually refused to cast a vote in an illegal meeting.

But God does this thing sometimes.

When God isn’t ready, then there is no cunning or intellect that can interfere with His plan.

The Lord frustrates the counsel of the nations;
he thwarts the plans of the peoples.

Psalm 33:10 (CSB)

Sometimes He closes the eyes of wicked people. You see, wicked people cannot interfere with God’s plan and authority.

What seems so obvious to His faithful followers is the very thing wicked people miss.

As with any secret, there is always a possibility of being discovered. That is why the secrets you keep as a believer should only ever be secrets that do not defy God’s moral law.

The one who conceals his sins
will not prosper,
but whoever confesses and renounces them
will find mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Actually, Ari’s secret was revealed because he was not a slave to cowardice. Yes, he was afraid. But he was courageous and loyal in spite of fear.

Have you guessed the identity of Ari yet? Here are a few clues.

• “…a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear…” John 19:38 (CSB)
• There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, Luke 23:50
• When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. Matthew 27:57

I took a liberty with his name. Arimathea was his hometown—thus, Ari, a.k.a. Joseph of Arimathea. He loved Jesus.

Do you remember the few facts that we have of this brave believer? It all starts with Joseph’s absence from or refusal to join in the illegal proceedings to convict Jesus of crimes He was not guilty of.

“…who had not agreed with their plan and action.

He was from Arimathea, a Judean town,

and was looking forward

to the kingdom of God.”

Luke 23:51 (CSB)

looking forward

• He was a member of the Sanhedrin, and a Pharisee.
• He refused to attend or join in the vote the night the Pharisees conducted the illegal trial of Jesus.
• He was a follower of Christ.
• He secretly followed Jesus.
• He was afraid of the Jews, but faithful.
• He retrieved Christs’ body from Pilate.
• He joined Nicodemus in preparing Jesus for burial.
• There was a garden in the place where Jesus died.
• Joseph owned a tomb there and it was never used before.

John 19:38-42 (CSB) Read about Joseph. It’s only 5 short verses.

Also, did you know that Joseph of Arimathea played a role in fulfilling prophecy? Isaiah 53:9.

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, but he was with a rich man at his death,
because he had done no violence and had not spoken deceitfully.

Isaiah 53:9 (CSB)

Now there may be a question about Joseph keeping his faith a secret. As God closed the eyes of the wicked to Joseph’s secret, He may have given him peace to know it wasn’t time to reveal his walk with Christ. It’s not for us to judge.

Even though Joseph had the scripture of Isaiah, he may not have realized the verse was about him and Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea was the rich man in that verse, fulfilling God’s prophecy. He acted with courage by refusing to lie about his beliefs; I believe his secret was a Godly one.

What do you think about that?

Share this message with others. Bring the Gospel to someone this Easter with confidence.

Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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