Regrets of Secret Disciples

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus' body for burial.  In John 19, Joseph is recorded as a disciple who followed Jesus in secret and we are reminded once again that Nicodemus came to Jesus by night.  Both feared the Jews and their retaliation if they owned Christ publicly.  But when they saw Jesus hanging on the cross, they regretted being a "secret disciple" and not walking with Christ and serving him when He was alive.  They came to Pilate publicly and buried him, no longer caring what people thought of them and their stand for the Savior.  They regretted their lack of a walk with Christ and did something about it.  Do you have regrets about your current spiritual life?  What are you doing to change it?  You'll never regret taking a public stand for Christ and living for Him!

Your World

Jesus hung on the cross and declared "It is finished."  What was finished?  He was the perfect sacrifice that was finished for the whole world.  In John 19, he hung on a cross for all humanity. 

But it was also finished for your world.  All prophecies throughout the Old Testament pointing towards this moment were fulfilled at Calvary and yet, Jesus, in his agony, hung there and continued to show concern for individuals that stood at the foot of the cross.  Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus, stood there looking up at her dying son. It is believed that Joseph, her husband, was dead and now her eldest son would soon be dead too.  What would she do?  How would she care for herself?  Her little world was crumbling around her, but Jesus knew that and took care of her too.  He looked at John, the disciple standing next to her and appointed him to care for her in our Lord's absence.  If someone is missing in your life, Jesus can fill the hearts and places that are now empty.  It was finished for the whole world, but it was also finished for your world.

Evil Used for Good

The river Pharaoh ordained for the destruction of Moses was the river God ordained for the deliverance of Moses! The Egyptian household that sought to destroy Israel would now educate and raise the leader God would use to deliver Israel! That's my God! (Exodus Chptrs 1&2)