57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
What was true of the centurion is also true of Joseph of Arimathea. One could hardly have a greater contrast than between these two, one a rough soldier, the other a rich Pharisee and counsellor of the Jews - yet at the cross they were both on the same level, and the same thing happened to them. Joseph, as John tells us in his gospel (19:38), was a secret disciple, for fear of the Jews, but by His death on the cross Jesus drew him out into the open to declare his interest and allegiance, and nail his colours to the mast. John in his gospel tells us of another in just that position - Nicodemus - who was drawn out into full commitment by the cross. Nicodemus had not understood Christ's teaching at first about being born again (John 3), but he was gradually drawn into the light (John 7:50, 51) until at the cross he seemed obliged to take a stand; as stand he did, coming right over to Christ's side as a declared disciple. This is what the cross does - it is a great sifter of men, compelling men to declare their interest and intent. This, then, is a passage for secret disciples, to those who have become convinced of the truth of the gospel as they have read and pondered the story of the cross, but as yet have been, it may be, hesitant or afraid to declare their interest. And it proclaims a simple yet decisive message; let it be known where you stand. Ask God for a suitable opportunity to open up, and tell it to someone - today.