Luke 23:50-56 — "Real" Disciples

READ THIS: Luke 23:50-56

50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 

54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

WHAT’S THIS MEAN, ANYWAY?

These verses show us the level of dedication and faith that some people had toward Jesus. It can be easy to think that the only real followers of Jesus were people like the disciples, who gave their entire lives up to follow Jesus wherever He went, but that's simply not true! The first person we learn about is Joseph, who was actually a member of the Sanhedrin. If you remember, some of the Sanhedrin were plotting to kill Jesus and were ultimately responsible for it, but Joseph is described simply as someone who was waiting for the kingdom of God. He really knew who Jesus was, and upon seeing His death, Joseph took the body of Jesus and prepared it for burial. We also see a group of women who prepared spices and perfumes for Jesus's body as well, and despite this awful time, they still obey God's Sabbath commandment.

These people weren't the ones you'd normally think of when you hear the word "disciple," but they were risking their lives and reputations to honor Jesus while the disciples were in hiding! It can be easy for us to think that we need special titles, gifts, or knowledge to be disciples of Jesus, but that isn't true. Jesus has called all of us to go out and make disciples, and anyone who believes in Him has the Holy Spirit and the ability to love others like Jesus does. Those two things (the Spirit and love) are what make us followers of Jesus... that's it! So it is up to us to take those two things and live our lives to honor Jesus, just as the people above did!

THINK ABOUT IT:

1. What is a common thing that people think Christians need to have to be a "real" Christian?
 
2. Do you believe that you are really a disciple of Jesus? Why or why not?

TRY THIS:

Wanna know what is required to be a disciple? Read what Jesus says in John 13:35...

35 "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

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