After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was 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 away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. John 19:38-39
Not all of the Jewish leaders in the Bible disbelieved Jesus as the Son of God and the promised Messiah. While the unbelieving Pharisees and Sadducees often receive the most attention, there were some Jewish leaders who did believe in Jesus.
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In John 19, we see two such leaders who believed in the validity of Jesus as who He really was.
Joseph of Arimathea
One of them was Joseph of Arimathea. Not much is said of him in scripture, but we know this from Luke’s account of the gospel:
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. Luke 23:50-51
We also know from Matthew’s account of the gospel that Joseph was a rich man (Matthew 27:57).
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This man was wealthy and very influential as a member of the council, or the Sanhedrin. Even though he was a person of power and influence, he believed in Jesus.
Yet, we know that Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus who followed Him “secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38).
His fear of the Jews limited him to follow Jesus privately.
Nicodemus
The second Jewish leader mentioned in John 19 is Nicodemus. Nicodemus is the one that Jesus had the renown conversation with in John 3.
He was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews (John 3:1). Nicodemus would have also been amongst an influential group of Jews in Jesus’ day.
Yet, we know that Nicodemus approached Jesus privately, and at night (John 3:2).
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It was to Nicodemus Jesus said:
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Jewish Leaders of Today
Just as there were Jewish leaders who secretly believed in Jesus during the time that He physically walked the earth, it is certainly possible that there are Jewish leaders who believe in Him secretly now, in fear of the Jews.
Let us pray for the Jewish leaders who may secretly believe in Jesus, that they would fear the Lord rather than men.
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. Proverbs 29:25
Let us pray that as rabbis across the world study the holy scriptures, that Yeshua the Messiah is revealed to them through the scriptures, because He is the Word.
Let us pray that they will trust in Him and lead others to trust in Him as well.
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