John 19:38-39  Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.”

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were both men who previously pursued Christ behind the scenes, at night. However, now they were clearly convinced that He was God as they retrieved his body and prepared him for burial. While Christ was alive, they sought Him secretly, so other people would not know. 

I will never forget what I experienced during one of my first early mornings serving in children’s ministry at Keystone United Methodist Church. I arrived while it was still dark outside to get a head start on the day. The men’s prayer group was meeting in fellowship hall. There was quiet chatter as men in small groups prayed for many concerns. I thought how cool it was that they prayed together for the needs of church members and those struggling in our small community. A few minutes later, I was gently distracted from my own prayer time to hear the voices of the men as they gradually began singing praises to the Lord. The voices of the church patriarchs mixed with congregants of all ages worshipping in unison was an incredibly beautiful sound, it literally brought me to tears. The presence of the Holy Spirit that morning was a powerful experience I will never forget. Men of all walks of life, all at different places spiritually weekly gathered to humbly serve and praise our Savior.

Maybe you secretly worship Jesus, maybe you proclaim Him publicly singing His praises with other believers. Either way, today it does not really matter. All you need to know is Jesus Christ came to die for you. God came to earth for all people. Eventually everyone will know that. Allow Him to come into your life right where you are. He loves you and has a good and perfect plan for you starting today.