Many Josephs Today

men of position, of whom it could be said they are secret disciples.

Such would probably say to-day, "I do not need to take my stand on

Christ's side. What more do I need? I have everything." We read

that he was a rich and honorable councillor, a just and a good man,

and holding a high position in the government of the nation. He was

also a benevolent man, and a devout man too. What more could he

need? God wants someth ng more than Joseph's good life and high

position. A man may be all Joseph was and yet be without Christ.



But a crisis came in his history. If he was to take his stand, now

was the time for him to do it, I consider that this is one of the

grandest, the noblest acts that any man ever did, to take his stand

for Christ when there seemed nothing, humanly speaking, that Christ

could give him. Joseph had no hope concerning the resurrection. It

seems that none of our Lord's disciples understood that He was going

to rise again even Peter, James, and John, as well as the rest,

scarcely believed that He had risen when He appeared to them. They

had anticipated that He would set up His kingdom, but He had no

sceptre in His hand; and, so far as they could see, no kingdom in

view. In fact, He was dead on the cross, with nails through His

hands and feet. There He hung until His spirit took its flight; that

which had made Him so grand, so glorious, and so noble, had now left

the body.



Joseph might have said, "It will be no use my taking a stand for Him

now. If I come out and confess Him I shall probably lose my position

in society and in the council, and my influence. I had better remain

where I am."



There was no earthly reward for him; there was nothing, humanly

speaking, that could have induced him to come out; and yet we are

told by Mark that he went boldly into Pilate's judgment-hall and

begged the body of Jesus. I consider this was