by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Following Jesus’ Path

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.”
Matthew 27:57 English Standard Version

We are programmed to act in one of two ways when facing problems: We either fight or we flee. This is like saying that water is wet for most of us. We’ve read books or been through counseling where we have explored which of these two is more than likely our response to trouble.

I’m a person who flees. I would have fit in well with the disciples at Jesus’ crucifixion. I would not only have fled with them as Jesus was led to his death, I would have outrun them, and I’m pretty slow. Both fleeing and fighting are ways of protecting ourselves from pain. Not many of us are willing to enter painful situations without either fleeing or fighting.

We don’t know much about Joseph of Arimathea. Matthew tells us that he was wealthy and a follower of Jesus. Other gospel writers inform us that he was a part of the Jewish ruling council known as the Sanhedrin. He did not consent to the council’s decision to put Jesus to death. It might sound like he was open about following Jesus, but John tells us that he was one of Jesus’ secret disciples because he was afraid of the other Jewish leaders.

Despite his fear, he still acts boldly, neither fleeing nor fighting. He would do what was right. He would face Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus. His master needed a proper burial. He uses clean clothes, gives up his own tomb, and secures Jesus’ grave. For Joseph, this must have been an act of love.

Following Jesus on his path of life is not about fleeing the world or fighting it. Following Jesus is about facing our fears and doing what is right. It’s about clinging to Jesus as the One who loves us, forgives us, restores us, and uses us in this world.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado