Courageous Followers
Mark 15:40-47
Message #62
In our last two messages in Mark, first, we asked, “Does The Cross Move You?” Are you moved by the King of Heaven being subjected to every type of cruelty that our sin nature could muster, and then, being brutally nailed to the Cross and left to die?
Then, we asked, “Does The Cross Draw You?” The agony of every sin in the world falling on Jesus all at once, and the horror of God in the flesh paying the full penalty for every single one of your sins, and mine. The darkness engulfing Calvary and Jesus crying out, “My God, My God WHY have you forsaken me?” And in his agony, we asked, does the Cross draw you to Jesus.
Today, we are faced with the question to what extent have you been moved by and drawn to the Savior of the World dying in your place on the Cross. And in response to WHO Jesus IS, and what Jesus has done for you… what would you be willing to risk in this world to stand with Jesus and take a stand for him?
We left our last message with the staggering statement of faith by the Roman Centurion in charge of the crucifixion in Mark Chapter 15 verse 39.
Mark 15:39 (NLT)
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Doesn’t it strike you as odd, after all, that Jesus had done for his Disciples, after all the proof, after all the prophecy, that the last statement made at the Cross about the proven Deity of Jesus was made by the Roman Centurion in charge of killing him?
Where were the Disciples? Where were those who promised to follow him – even to death? We know why Judas Iscariot wasn’t there. We know Peter was being crushed under a mountain of guilt after denying that he even knew Jesus – three times. And we know that only the Disciple whom Jesus loved (John) was there. So, that makes one out of eleven who had the courage to stand for Jesus on Calvary that day.
But there were others at the Cross. Others more courageous than ten of the remaining Disciples. Others more willing than ten of the Disciples to be seen with Jesus, to be named with Jesus, to stand up for Jesus. More willing to lose, more willing to sacrifice their lives than ten of the original Disciples.
And initially, beside the Apostle John, they were all women.
Mark 15:40 (NLT)
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
First was Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus cast out seven demons and who became a key part of the ministry of Jesus. In Luke Chapter 7, an immoral woman knelt at the feet of Jesus, and as her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped his feet with her hair, and poured perfume on his feet. And when Simon the Pharisee condemned Jesus for allowing this to happen, Jesus said to him,
Luke 7:47 (NLT)
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
I had someone tell me recently, “You know, after all I’ve been through, I don’t know if God can use me.” I said, “No. It’s just the opposite. Because of all you’ve been through, God will use you in a greater way.” Those who are forgiven much, love much. Those who have been brought through much, do much for the Kingdom.
This may well have been Mary Magdalene, who is now driven by her love for Jesus risking everything to be standing at the Cross with him when ten of his Disciples were too scared to stand with him. Rome already knew who the followers of Christ were. But there is obviously a fear of being seen supporting Jesus there on the Cross.
And then, there is Mary - the mother of James the younger (Less). This is awesome because James the Younger IS an Apostle – he was one of the original twelve. But what James the Younger is known for is his service in obscurity. He is just as much an Apostle as Peter, James, and John but he is only mentioned about four times in the Bible. James the Younger served the Lord in obscurity. And Mary - the mother of James the younger we also know almost nothing about. But here, she is driven by her love for Jesus to risk everything to stand up for Jesus at the Cross, and her son, James the Less, ultimately does the same, giving his life for Jesus without ever even hardly a mention – anywhere.
And finally, we have Salome – the mother of the Sons of Thunder – James and John, and probably the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, and so, she is Jesus’ aunt. This may help explain why she came to Jesus in Matthew 20 and asked if her “special boys” (James and John) could sit on Jesus’ right and left in his Kingdom. But she is here, AT the cross, and it is her deep love for both Jesus and her sister Mary (mother of Jesus) that has driven her here. And Mary, the mother of Jesus is here, experiencing the agony only a mother can experience.
And so, I hope you’re seeing that it is love. It’s this intense love that causes people to step up to the Cross and stand there and say, “I’m here. I’m standing FOR Jesus. I’m standing WITH Jesus. I’m being named with him. I’m connected to him. And whatever comes, let it come.” Do you see any correlation to where our society is heading? Because this is where our society is heading. Twenty or twenty-five years from now, if this country keeps going the way it is, then we will suffer the loss of things in this life for taking a stand with Christ. There are people already doing it, that have always done it all over the world. We’ve just been really “lucky” to live in freedom for so long.
Mark 15:41 (NLT)
41 They (these 3 named women) had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
People debate WHY it was almost all women who were at the Cross for Jesus and some point to cultural differences, that they say might’ve made it safer for them to be there than for the men. That’s not true. Women were held in much lower regard. Women faced way more risks for more minor things. Men were just scared, cowards. After walking with Jesus for three years and thinking that they were going to be something and they were going to sit with Jesus, and he’s going to take over the “kingdom” (if you will), take back Jerusalem from Rome, and everything’s going to be awesome. And now, they’re not here.
But I don’t think it’s because of cultural differences.
I think the deep and sacrificial love that these women had for Jesus and for one another drove them to stand at the foot of the Cross when all but one of the Disciples were in hiding.
It’s one thing if you’re following Jesus for “you.” Right? Like prosperity teaching. Like, “I believe in Jesus because he’s going to give me a BMW.” Right. “I follow Jesus because he’s going to give me something.” I’m telling you the truth. If you really look at the Disciples, they all thought they were going to get something. They didn’t see this coming, even though Jesus kept telling them it was coming. They thought it was going to be different. The women, and the Apostle John – just loved Jesus. That’s it. They didn’t have any ulterior motives. They weren’t trying to get something or accomplish something or become something. They just loved Jesus. And so, they’re standing with him at the Cross, because they love him. Period. That’s it. And whatever comes, comes. And whatever they lose, they lose.
But it’s not just the women and the Apostle John willing to risk it all to be standing for Jesus at the Cross. There were two men who were definitely risking it all to stand up for Jesus and to come to Jesus at the Cross even if it meant losing everything to do it.
Mark 15:42-43 (NLT)
42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,
43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
By going to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body to prepare it and place it in his own tomb, here’s the thing. We forget who Joseph of Arimathea is. We think he’s a rich guy that owns a garden, that we go there in Jerusalem, but here’s who he was. Joseph of Arimathea was risking the loss of every single thing important to him in this life. Joseph of Arimathea was an honored member of the Sanhedrin – the same group that had just killed Jesus. These are the guys who conspired and arranged for the murder of Jesus. And Joseph of Arimathea is an honored member of that council AND was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. (That’s Mark’s way of saying, “He was a believer.”) He believed that Jesus was the Messiah and was bringing the Kingdom of God.
By going to Pilate, asking for Jesus’ body, taking it down, and preparing it and placing it in his own, expensive, unused tomb, Joseph of Arimathea was risking the loss of every single thing important in his life.
In verse 43 the NLT says, Joseph took a risk
The ESV says, he took courage
The NET says, he went boldly to Pilate.
It took everything he had in him because he was signing his own death sentence as far as being a member of the Sanhedrin goes. His life changed forever by making this decision to stand up, love Jesus, and show respect and devotion to Jesus and his body. He was a wealthy, prominent, honored “leader of Jewish society” right up until this moment because this decision cost him all of that. What little we know from legend and story is that Joseph of Arimathea was jailed by the Sanhedrin and lost everything that went with his honored Sanhedrin life, and he became (in essence), a missionary spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ – after losing everything for Jesus.
Our point today is – he was willing. He was willing to lose it all and he probably did lose it all because of his love for Jesus and his faith in Jesus. All that he had gained in this world he counted as loss. And he did lose in order to put on public display his faith and love for his Savior, including placing Jesus in his own costly, never used tomb.
And Joseph of Arimathea wasn’t alone. He had another courageous follower with him who also was willing to risk everything to take a stand for Jesus at the Cross.
So, verse 43 says Joseph of Arimathea courageously went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. And then we read,
Mark 15:44–45 (NLT)
44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.
45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.
Now, this word is going to spread fast that a member of the Sanhedrin is caring for the body of Jesus who the Sanhedrin just had murdered. That’s not going to go well for Joseph of Arimathea. Life as he knew it was over at this minute. But – he had a courageous co-Follower who was also ready to lose everything for Jesus.
Over in John 19 (I love this),
John 19:38–39 (NLT)
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who HAD BEEN a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders)
(He HAD BEEN a secret Disciple – but NO MORE – he is now laying it all on the line - AND losing it all, for Jesus),
(Joseph) asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night.
(Nicodemus is no longer “Nic at Night”) (Ol’ Nic is out in the open now, and he will also, most likely, lose everything for it)
He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
(meaning Nicodemus was ALSO wealthy AND a Newly Courageous Follower)
These are two high-powered, well-positioned people who are both putting it all on the line for Jesus. They are right now – telling their world – in a very loud way that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus was also on the Sanhedrin, he also was living the honorable high life. Nicodemus was a Pharisee – Joseph of Arimathea was a Sadducee. But in this moment, they are both willing to lose everything in order to show their love and commitment to Jesus.
And so, we finish in Mark 15.
Mark 15:46–47 (NLT)
46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he (with Nicodemus) took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
So, all the shock and pain and horror of the Crucifixion was over. The currently lifeless body of Jesus was left hanging on the cross. Maybe Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph (James the Less and Joseph) were the only two followers left because they were frozen in shock, still there only because they couldn’t move.
But – where are the Disciples? Do we give them a pass here? Do we say, “Well, they were afraid, so we understand”? What about the wealthy Sadducee and wealthy Pharisee? Both are members of the Jewish High Council and both are at the pinnacle of Jewish society. Didn’t they have something to be afraid of? They actually had a ton more to lose than the Disciples did. But there they are, racing to have Jesus’s body put in Joseph’s own unused tomb before sunset (and the beginning of the High Holy Sabbath).
They would both be defiled by touching a dead body. They both would be barred from family and friends on that Sabbath (Feast of Tabernacles), and if the early church writings are true, they both gave up everything they had in this world in order to stand up for Jesus when even his own Disciples would not.
The women at the Cross that day, the Apostle John (the Disciple whom Jesus loved), and these two Jewish Sanhedrin members – they were the courageous followers that day.
Because they were the only ones who had the courage
to stand WITH Jesus
to stand FOR Jesus
AND to suffer the loss of everything they had in this world
in order to show their devotion TO Jesus.
What about us? Where are we in this picture? Are we huddled in the upper room whispering so no one will hear us? Have we gone back to the Garden of Gethsemane hoping no one will find us? Are we following Peter’s lead and denying that we even know that man hanging on the Cross? Are we afraid of losing something in this life by taking a stand for Jesus? Are we worried that we’ll lose our reputation, that we’ll lose our friends, or even our family by showing our love and devotion for Jesus?
How could the Disciples be afraid they were going to lose anything? What in this world could be worth abandoning Jesus for?
The Apostle Paul is talking about all the things of this world when he says in Philippians 3,
Philippians 3:7–9 (NLT)
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him . . .
What in your world is worth abandoning Christ for? These Disciples had just promised the night before at the Last Supper that they would never abandon Christ, even to death. And in less than twenty-four hours he was abandoned by them all. Shocking.
The only reason we have to fear being an out-spoken leader and Christ-follower is because we think there is something in this life that has more worth than knowing Jesus.
But when we understand that everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus THEN we will become Courageous Followers. There is nothing worth more than knowing Christ.
Then, we asked, “Does The Cross Draw You?” The agony of every sin in the world falling on Jesus all at once, and the horror of God in the flesh paying the full penalty for every single one of your sins, and mine. The darkness engulfing Calvary and Jesus crying out, “My God, My God WHY have you forsaken me?” And in his agony, we asked, does the Cross draw you to Jesus.
Today, we are faced with the question to what extent have you been moved by and drawn to the Savior of the World dying in your place on the Cross. And in response to WHO Jesus IS, and what Jesus has done for you… what would you be willing to risk in this world to stand with Jesus and take a stand for him?
We left our last message with the staggering statement of faith by the Roman Centurion in charge of the crucifixion in Mark Chapter 15 verse 39.
Mark 15:39 (NLT)
39 When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
Doesn’t it strike you as odd, after all, that Jesus had done for his Disciples, after all the proof, after all the prophecy, that the last statement made at the Cross about the proven Deity of Jesus was made by the Roman Centurion in charge of killing him?
Where were the Disciples? Where were those who promised to follow him – even to death? We know why Judas Iscariot wasn’t there. We know Peter was being crushed under a mountain of guilt after denying that he even knew Jesus – three times. And we know that only the Disciple whom Jesus loved (John) was there. So, that makes one out of eleven who had the courage to stand for Jesus on Calvary that day.
But there were others at the Cross. Others more courageous than ten of the remaining Disciples. Others more willing than ten of the Disciples to be seen with Jesus, to be named with Jesus, to stand up for Jesus. More willing to lose, more willing to sacrifice their lives than ten of the original Disciples.
And initially, beside the Apostle John, they were all women.
Mark 15:40 (NLT)
40 Some women were there, watching from a distance, including Mary Magdalene, Mary (the mother of James the younger and of Joseph), and Salome.
First was Mary Magdalene from whom Jesus cast out seven demons and who became a key part of the ministry of Jesus. In Luke Chapter 7, an immoral woman knelt at the feet of Jesus, and as her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped his feet with her hair, and poured perfume on his feet. And when Simon the Pharisee condemned Jesus for allowing this to happen, Jesus said to him,
Luke 7:47 (NLT)
47 “I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love. But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.”
I had someone tell me recently, “You know, after all I’ve been through, I don’t know if God can use me.” I said, “No. It’s just the opposite. Because of all you’ve been through, God will use you in a greater way.” Those who are forgiven much, love much. Those who have been brought through much, do much for the Kingdom.
This may well have been Mary Magdalene, who is now driven by her love for Jesus risking everything to be standing at the Cross with him when ten of his Disciples were too scared to stand with him. Rome already knew who the followers of Christ were. But there is obviously a fear of being seen supporting Jesus there on the Cross.
And then, there is Mary - the mother of James the younger (Less). This is awesome because James the Younger IS an Apostle – he was one of the original twelve. But what James the Younger is known for is his service in obscurity. He is just as much an Apostle as Peter, James, and John but he is only mentioned about four times in the Bible. James the Younger served the Lord in obscurity. And Mary - the mother of James the younger we also know almost nothing about. But here, she is driven by her love for Jesus to risk everything to stand up for Jesus at the Cross, and her son, James the Less, ultimately does the same, giving his life for Jesus without ever even hardly a mention – anywhere.
And finally, we have Salome – the mother of the Sons of Thunder – James and John, and probably the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus, and so, she is Jesus’ aunt. This may help explain why she came to Jesus in Matthew 20 and asked if her “special boys” (James and John) could sit on Jesus’ right and left in his Kingdom. But she is here, AT the cross, and it is her deep love for both Jesus and her sister Mary (mother of Jesus) that has driven her here. And Mary, the mother of Jesus is here, experiencing the agony only a mother can experience.
And so, I hope you’re seeing that it is love. It’s this intense love that causes people to step up to the Cross and stand there and say, “I’m here. I’m standing FOR Jesus. I’m standing WITH Jesus. I’m being named with him. I’m connected to him. And whatever comes, let it come.” Do you see any correlation to where our society is heading? Because this is where our society is heading. Twenty or twenty-five years from now, if this country keeps going the way it is, then we will suffer the loss of things in this life for taking a stand with Christ. There are people already doing it, that have always done it all over the world. We’ve just been really “lucky” to live in freedom for so long.
Mark 15:41 (NLT)
41 They (these 3 named women) had been followers of Jesus and had cared for him while he was in Galilee. Many other women who had come with him to Jerusalem were also there.
People debate WHY it was almost all women who were at the Cross for Jesus and some point to cultural differences, that they say might’ve made it safer for them to be there than for the men. That’s not true. Women were held in much lower regard. Women faced way more risks for more minor things. Men were just scared, cowards. After walking with Jesus for three years and thinking that they were going to be something and they were going to sit with Jesus, and he’s going to take over the “kingdom” (if you will), take back Jerusalem from Rome, and everything’s going to be awesome. And now, they’re not here.
But I don’t think it’s because of cultural differences.
I think the deep and sacrificial love that these women had for Jesus and for one another drove them to stand at the foot of the Cross when all but one of the Disciples were in hiding.
It’s one thing if you’re following Jesus for “you.” Right? Like prosperity teaching. Like, “I believe in Jesus because he’s going to give me a BMW.” Right. “I follow Jesus because he’s going to give me something.” I’m telling you the truth. If you really look at the Disciples, they all thought they were going to get something. They didn’t see this coming, even though Jesus kept telling them it was coming. They thought it was going to be different. The women, and the Apostle John – just loved Jesus. That’s it. They didn’t have any ulterior motives. They weren’t trying to get something or accomplish something or become something. They just loved Jesus. And so, they’re standing with him at the Cross, because they love him. Period. That’s it. And whatever comes, comes. And whatever they lose, they lose.
But it’s not just the women and the Apostle John willing to risk it all to be standing for Jesus at the Cross. There were two men who were definitely risking it all to stand up for Jesus and to come to Jesus at the Cross even if it meant losing everything to do it.
Mark 15:42-43 (NLT)
42 This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached,
43 Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)
By going to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body to prepare it and place it in his own tomb, here’s the thing. We forget who Joseph of Arimathea is. We think he’s a rich guy that owns a garden, that we go there in Jerusalem, but here’s who he was. Joseph of Arimathea was risking the loss of every single thing important to him in this life. Joseph of Arimathea was an honored member of the Sanhedrin – the same group that had just killed Jesus. These are the guys who conspired and arranged for the murder of Jesus. And Joseph of Arimathea is an honored member of that council AND was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. (That’s Mark’s way of saying, “He was a believer.”) He believed that Jesus was the Messiah and was bringing the Kingdom of God.
By going to Pilate, asking for Jesus’ body, taking it down, and preparing it and placing it in his own, expensive, unused tomb, Joseph of Arimathea was risking the loss of every single thing important in his life.
In verse 43 the NLT says, Joseph took a risk
The ESV says, he took courage
The NET says, he went boldly to Pilate.
It took everything he had in him because he was signing his own death sentence as far as being a member of the Sanhedrin goes. His life changed forever by making this decision to stand up, love Jesus, and show respect and devotion to Jesus and his body. He was a wealthy, prominent, honored “leader of Jewish society” right up until this moment because this decision cost him all of that. What little we know from legend and story is that Joseph of Arimathea was jailed by the Sanhedrin and lost everything that went with his honored Sanhedrin life, and he became (in essence), a missionary spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ – after losing everything for Jesus.
Our point today is – he was willing. He was willing to lose it all and he probably did lose it all because of his love for Jesus and his faith in Jesus. All that he had gained in this world he counted as loss. And he did lose in order to put on public display his faith and love for his Savior, including placing Jesus in his own costly, never used tomb.
And Joseph of Arimathea wasn’t alone. He had another courageous follower with him who also was willing to risk everything to take a stand for Jesus at the Cross.
So, verse 43 says Joseph of Arimathea courageously went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. And then we read,
Mark 15:44–45 (NLT)
44 Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet.
45 The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body.
Now, this word is going to spread fast that a member of the Sanhedrin is caring for the body of Jesus who the Sanhedrin just had murdered. That’s not going to go well for Joseph of Arimathea. Life as he knew it was over at this minute. But – he had a courageous co-Follower who was also ready to lose everything for Jesus.
Over in John 19 (I love this),
John 19:38–39 (NLT)
38 Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who HAD BEEN a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders)
(He HAD BEEN a secret Disciple – but NO MORE – he is now laying it all on the line - AND losing it all, for Jesus),
(Joseph) asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away.
39 With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night.
(Nicodemus is no longer “Nic at Night”) (Ol’ Nic is out in the open now, and he will also, most likely, lose everything for it)
He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.
(meaning Nicodemus was ALSO wealthy AND a Newly Courageous Follower)
These are two high-powered, well-positioned people who are both putting it all on the line for Jesus. They are right now – telling their world – in a very loud way that they are followers of Jesus Christ.
Like Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus was also on the Sanhedrin, he also was living the honorable high life. Nicodemus was a Pharisee – Joseph of Arimathea was a Sadducee. But in this moment, they are both willing to lose everything in order to show their love and commitment to Jesus.
And so, we finish in Mark 15.
Mark 15:46–47 (NLT)
46 Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he (with Nicodemus) took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.
47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.
So, all the shock and pain and horror of the Crucifixion was over. The currently lifeless body of Jesus was left hanging on the cross. Maybe Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph (James the Less and Joseph) were the only two followers left because they were frozen in shock, still there only because they couldn’t move.
But – where are the Disciples? Do we give them a pass here? Do we say, “Well, they were afraid, so we understand”? What about the wealthy Sadducee and wealthy Pharisee? Both are members of the Jewish High Council and both are at the pinnacle of Jewish society. Didn’t they have something to be afraid of? They actually had a ton more to lose than the Disciples did. But there they are, racing to have Jesus’s body put in Joseph’s own unused tomb before sunset (and the beginning of the High Holy Sabbath).
They would both be defiled by touching a dead body. They both would be barred from family and friends on that Sabbath (Feast of Tabernacles), and if the early church writings are true, they both gave up everything they had in this world in order to stand up for Jesus when even his own Disciples would not.
The women at the Cross that day, the Apostle John (the Disciple whom Jesus loved), and these two Jewish Sanhedrin members – they were the courageous followers that day.
Because they were the only ones who had the courage
to stand WITH Jesus
to stand FOR Jesus
AND to suffer the loss of everything they had in this world
in order to show their devotion TO Jesus.
What about us? Where are we in this picture? Are we huddled in the upper room whispering so no one will hear us? Have we gone back to the Garden of Gethsemane hoping no one will find us? Are we following Peter’s lead and denying that we even know that man hanging on the Cross? Are we afraid of losing something in this life by taking a stand for Jesus? Are we worried that we’ll lose our reputation, that we’ll lose our friends, or even our family by showing our love and devotion for Jesus?
How could the Disciples be afraid they were going to lose anything? What in this world could be worth abandoning Jesus for?
The Apostle Paul is talking about all the things of this world when he says in Philippians 3,
Philippians 3:7–9 (NLT)
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him . . .
What in your world is worth abandoning Christ for? These Disciples had just promised the night before at the Last Supper that they would never abandon Christ, even to death. And in less than twenty-four hours he was abandoned by them all. Shocking.
The only reason we have to fear being an out-spoken leader and Christ-follower is because we think there is something in this life that has more worth than knowing Jesus.
But when we understand that everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus THEN we will become Courageous Followers. There is nothing worth more than knowing Christ.