The Unexpected Courage: Lessons from the Cross You Might Missed
The story of Jesus' crucifixion is familiar to many – a moment of cosmic drama, immense pain, and apparent defeat. Yet, in the shadow of the cross, powerful acts of devotion unfolded, often in quiet ways that revealed the enduring power of faith. Today, we'll explore how these moments of courageous love in dark places exemplify a profound truth: every quiet act of faith participates in resurrection hope.
We'll journey through the biblical account of Jesus' burial, focusing on the silent resolve of a few faithful women and the surprising bravery of a man, all woven into the fabric of the greatest story ever told. Their stories challenge us to find courage and act in faith, even when the world suggests all hope is lost.
Faithful Presence in Grief: Standing Firm When All Seems Lost
Mark 15:40-47 describes the scene after Jesus’ death:
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
As Jesus’ life on earth drew to a close, a group of women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome—stood watching from a distance. These were women who had faithfully followed and ministered to Jesus throughout His ministry. Even in His death, they remained loyal, demonstrating a commitment to honoring Him. Specifically, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.
These women remind us that faith isn't always about grand gestures or public declarations. It's often found in the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments where we choose to stand with Christ, even when circumstances are bleak. This faithfulness might be as simple as showing up for a friend in need or praying for someone struggling. In moments of failure or rejection, remember that death does not defeat Jesus; He is victorious over sin, death, and its consequences. By embracing these principles, we can live out our faith in a way that honors God and inspires others.
Courageous Allegiance in Risk: Daring to Act in Love
The story doesn't end with the women’s watchful sorrow. Mark 15:42-46 introduces another figure who steps into this moment of grief—Joseph of Arimathea. While the women offered their loving presence, Joseph took bold action, taking a risk to honor Jesus. As evening fell and the Sabbath approached, Joseph’s decision to request Jesus' body from Pilate required courage, particularly for a man of his social and political standing.
Joseph was a respected member of the Sanhedrin. In first-century Judea, a wealthy and influential man like Joseph would typically have been careful to maintain his reputation and distance himself from political or religious controversies. Yet, risking his social standing by publicly associating himself with a condemned Messiah, Joseph roused a powerful counter-narrative: faith often requires a stance that defies societal expectation. His decision to honor Jesus’ body publicly was an unmistakable declaration that the Kingdom of God was worth every personal risk, even when it meant standing against the tide of conventional wisdom.
Joseph’s actions demonstrate a deep understanding of Jesus' teachings. His silent yet decisive decision to claim Jesus’ body teaches us that following Jesus often involves stepping into realms of risk where the world’s honor and survival criteria are turned upside down. While Peter’s dramatic failure at the cross exposed human frailty, Joseph’s commitment shines as a beacon of what alignment with Christ should look like: unwavering, quiet, and decisively countercultural. When life feels overwhelming and everything seems to fall apart, we’re invited to reflect on what truly matters: a call to trust in Jesus, who turns every ending into the promise of a new beginning filled with hope.
Quiet Acts that Testify to Hope: Echoes of Redemption
These documented scenes mix tragic hearts with a hopeful revealing the devotion of men and women whose hearts transcend cultural conventions to offer extravagant devotion. We witness the anointing of Jesus by the woman in Bethany before Christ’s trial, to the man Joseph wrapping Jesus in linen and placing him in an expensive tomb.
Mark 15:46-16:1 further connects these acts: 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. 47 And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. 16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
The Bethany woman anointed Jesus before His death. The other women came intending to anoint Him after, but they would find the tomb empty. God honored the devotion of both, showing that it’s the heart poured out in love that matters.
The Bethany woman’s pouring of expensive perfume was a deliberate, sacrificial outpouring that declared Jesus’ worth beyond worldly measures. Likewise, Joseph’s bold act of retrieving Jesus’ body challenged the norms. Despite his status as a respected member of the Sanhedrin, he chose to align himself with the condemned Savior. Both acts reveal that when we truly grasp the worth of Christ, we are willing to offer something of our own, even when it defies conventional wisdom.
These acts also foreshadowed Christ's redemptive work. The Bethany woman’s lavish anointing demonstrated personal devotion and foreshadowed the need for anointing His body for burial. Joseph’s retrieval of the body is deeply redemptive, participating in a sacred act that prefigured the resurrection. Joseph’s burial of Jesus fulfills Isaiah 53:9 and confirms the historical, physical reality of Christ’s death. The tomb was not a footnote—it was a prophecy fulfilled and a sacred pause before resurrection. As 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 states, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
These acts of worship bridge the gap between earthly loss and divine promise, reminding us that what appears to be a final act is the prelude to transcendent new beginnings. They challenge us to reflect on living a life marked by redemptive love:
In seeing the woman’s costly devotion and Joseph’s courageous reclamation of Jesus’ body, we learn that true discipleship is marked by a willingness to act boldly, regardless of human expectations. Their actions remind us that in the economy of God’s Kingdom, sacrificial giving and defiant love are how the light of redemption pierces the darkness of sin.
The Overarching Epiphany: God's Redemptive Work in Progress
Let us reflect on the mosaic of responses we’ve encountered today—from the faithful witnesses among the women to the boldly countercultural act of Joseph, and even the extravagant, selfless devotion of the Bethany woman anointing Jesus. Each act reveals the transformative power of encountering Jesus at the cross. Faithfulness isn't just about grand moments; it's often about standing by Christ in everyday moments, even when everything seems to fall apart.
In the darkness of that fateful hour, what might have seemed like a final, irrevocable moment of loss becomes the stage for divine redemption. The cosmic signs—the supernatural darkness, the anguished cry, and the tearing of the veil—point to a God who turns finality into a gateway for renewal. Yet, God works through his people: the women who remain devoted to Jesus, Joseph who dares break cultural barriers, and the Bethany woman whose lavish gift is a testament to the worth of the Savior.
Together, they reveal one profound truth: True discipleship flourishes with redemptive acts that break free from the shackles of worldly expectation through courageous, sacrificial love.
My faith isn't just about being strong in the face of adversity, but finding strength in vulnerability. It's about being present with God during chaotic times, rather than trying to control the chaos itself. God’s word inspires us to live purposefully, trusting God with our journey, no matter where it takes us. Faithful believers choose to stand by Christ's side, even in uncertainty, and find new life and hope in His presence.
The overarching message is this: In the darkness of the cross, where judgment, abandonment, and apparent finality converge, God’s redemptive work is unmistakably in progress. Here, human frailty meets divine courage, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary through acts of quiet faith. When we, like Joseph and the devoted women, choose to stand for Christ against all odds, we participate in a transformative narrative that turns every ending into a new beginning.
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what faithful love looks like—in the women's devotion, Joseph's courage, and the cross's sacrifice. Holy Spirit, teach us to live boldly and quietly for You, offering our lives in daily acts of honor, even when the world doesn’t see. Help us stand with You in suffering, speak for You in risk, and walk in the hope of Your resurrection.
In Your holy name, Amen.
We'll journey through the biblical account of Jesus' burial, focusing on the silent resolve of a few faithful women and the surprising bravery of a man, all woven into the fabric of the greatest story ever told. Their stories challenge us to find courage and act in faith, even when the world suggests all hope is lost.
Faithful Presence in Grief: Standing Firm When All Seems Lost
Mark 15:40-47 describes the scene after Jesus’ death:
40 There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem. 42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
As Jesus’ life on earth drew to a close, a group of women—Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and Salome—stood watching from a distance. These were women who had faithfully followed and ministered to Jesus throughout His ministry. Even in His death, they remained loyal, demonstrating a commitment to honoring Him. Specifically, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.
These women remind us that faith isn't always about grand gestures or public declarations. It's often found in the quiet, behind-the-scenes moments where we choose to stand with Christ, even when circumstances are bleak. This faithfulness might be as simple as showing up for a friend in need or praying for someone struggling. In moments of failure or rejection, remember that death does not defeat Jesus; He is victorious over sin, death, and its consequences. By embracing these principles, we can live out our faith in a way that honors God and inspires others.
Courageous Allegiance in Risk: Daring to Act in Love
The story doesn't end with the women’s watchful sorrow. Mark 15:42-46 introduces another figure who steps into this moment of grief—Joseph of Arimathea. While the women offered their loving presence, Joseph took bold action, taking a risk to honor Jesus. As evening fell and the Sabbath approached, Joseph’s decision to request Jesus' body from Pilate required courage, particularly for a man of his social and political standing.
Joseph was a respected member of the Sanhedrin. In first-century Judea, a wealthy and influential man like Joseph would typically have been careful to maintain his reputation and distance himself from political or religious controversies. Yet, risking his social standing by publicly associating himself with a condemned Messiah, Joseph roused a powerful counter-narrative: faith often requires a stance that defies societal expectation. His decision to honor Jesus’ body publicly was an unmistakable declaration that the Kingdom of God was worth every personal risk, even when it meant standing against the tide of conventional wisdom.
Joseph’s actions demonstrate a deep understanding of Jesus' teachings. His silent yet decisive decision to claim Jesus’ body teaches us that following Jesus often involves stepping into realms of risk where the world’s honor and survival criteria are turned upside down. While Peter’s dramatic failure at the cross exposed human frailty, Joseph’s commitment shines as a beacon of what alignment with Christ should look like: unwavering, quiet, and decisively countercultural. When life feels overwhelming and everything seems to fall apart, we’re invited to reflect on what truly matters: a call to trust in Jesus, who turns every ending into the promise of a new beginning filled with hope.
Quiet Acts that Testify to Hope: Echoes of Redemption
These documented scenes mix tragic hearts with a hopeful revealing the devotion of men and women whose hearts transcend cultural conventions to offer extravagant devotion. We witness the anointing of Jesus by the woman in Bethany before Christ’s trial, to the man Joseph wrapping Jesus in linen and placing him in an expensive tomb.
Mark 15:46-16:1 further connects these acts: 46 And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. 47 And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid. 16:1 When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him.
The Bethany woman anointed Jesus before His death. The other women came intending to anoint Him after, but they would find the tomb empty. God honored the devotion of both, showing that it’s the heart poured out in love that matters.
The Bethany woman’s pouring of expensive perfume was a deliberate, sacrificial outpouring that declared Jesus’ worth beyond worldly measures. Likewise, Joseph’s bold act of retrieving Jesus’ body challenged the norms. Despite his status as a respected member of the Sanhedrin, he chose to align himself with the condemned Savior. Both acts reveal that when we truly grasp the worth of Christ, we are willing to offer something of our own, even when it defies conventional wisdom.
These acts also foreshadowed Christ's redemptive work. The Bethany woman’s lavish anointing demonstrated personal devotion and foreshadowed the need for anointing His body for burial. Joseph’s retrieval of the body is deeply redemptive, participating in a sacred act that prefigured the resurrection. Joseph’s burial of Jesus fulfills Isaiah 53:9 and confirms the historical, physical reality of Christ’s death. The tomb was not a footnote—it was a prophecy fulfilled and a sacred pause before resurrection. As 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 states, Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day.
These acts of worship bridge the gap between earthly loss and divine promise, reminding us that what appears to be a final act is the prelude to transcendent new beginnings. They challenge us to reflect on living a life marked by redemptive love:
- How might we be willing to "spend" our most valued resources—time, talent, or treasure—in a manner that reflects our recognition of Jesus’ ultimate worth?
- When societal pressures promote conformity as safe, are we prepared to take a stand, even if it means risking our comfort or reputation?
- How can our everyday acts, whether grand or quiet, signal to the world that in God’s Kingdom, value is measured by sacrificial love, not by worldly approval?
In seeing the woman’s costly devotion and Joseph’s courageous reclamation of Jesus’ body, we learn that true discipleship is marked by a willingness to act boldly, regardless of human expectations. Their actions remind us that in the economy of God’s Kingdom, sacrificial giving and defiant love are how the light of redemption pierces the darkness of sin.
The Overarching Epiphany: God's Redemptive Work in Progress
Let us reflect on the mosaic of responses we’ve encountered today—from the faithful witnesses among the women to the boldly countercultural act of Joseph, and even the extravagant, selfless devotion of the Bethany woman anointing Jesus. Each act reveals the transformative power of encountering Jesus at the cross. Faithfulness isn't just about grand moments; it's often about standing by Christ in everyday moments, even when everything seems to fall apart.
In the darkness of that fateful hour, what might have seemed like a final, irrevocable moment of loss becomes the stage for divine redemption. The cosmic signs—the supernatural darkness, the anguished cry, and the tearing of the veil—point to a God who turns finality into a gateway for renewal. Yet, God works through his people: the women who remain devoted to Jesus, Joseph who dares break cultural barriers, and the Bethany woman whose lavish gift is a testament to the worth of the Savior.
Together, they reveal one profound truth: True discipleship flourishes with redemptive acts that break free from the shackles of worldly expectation through courageous, sacrificial love.
My faith isn't just about being strong in the face of adversity, but finding strength in vulnerability. It's about being present with God during chaotic times, rather than trying to control the chaos itself. God’s word inspires us to live purposefully, trusting God with our journey, no matter where it takes us. Faithful believers choose to stand by Christ's side, even in uncertainty, and find new life and hope in His presence.
The overarching message is this: In the darkness of the cross, where judgment, abandonment, and apparent finality converge, God’s redemptive work is unmistakably in progress. Here, human frailty meets divine courage, and the ordinary becomes extraordinary through acts of quiet faith. When we, like Joseph and the devoted women, choose to stand for Christ against all odds, we participate in a transformative narrative that turns every ending into a new beginning.
Let’s Pray
Lord Jesus, thank You for showing us what faithful love looks like—in the women's devotion, Joseph's courage, and the cross's sacrifice. Holy Spirit, teach us to live boldly and quietly for You, offering our lives in daily acts of honor, even when the world doesn’t see. Help us stand with You in suffering, speak for You in risk, and walk in the hope of Your resurrection.
In Your holy name, Amen.
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