Not all of us are out and out in our faith as Christians; we are secret disciples or followers of Christ. The day Jesus died that all changed for two secret disciples:

‘After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby’ John’s Gospel chapter 19 verses 38-42.

Why the change? What caused Joseph and Nicodemus to step out of the shadows and become willing and public followers of Jesus? It was what they witnessed, the sight of CHRIST on the CROSS, CHRIST at CALVARY because HE loved them. HE changed them and all the world knew they belonged to HIM.

May we follow their example: ‘if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved’ Romans chapter 10 verse 9.

Oh, wondrous cross! Oh, precious blood! Oh, death by which I live!
The Sinless One, for me made sin, does now His wondrous heart within
Eternal refuge give!