7 APRIL

BOLD FOR JESUS

“Our brothers and sisters won the victory over him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and  they were willing to give up their lives and die. (Revelation 12:11, GNB)

The victory for our lives has already been won eternally through the death and resurrection of Christ. In this covenant of life, our own responsibility is to boldly and fearlessly proclaim the word of truth in faith and loyal love and service to our Lord.

A biblical example is Joseph of Arimathea during the last days of Jesus. The Scripture says of him: “When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea arrived; his name was Joseph, and he also was a disciple of Jesus. He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to Joseph. So Joseph took it, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away” (Matthew 27:57–60).

Those were dangerous times, as even the disciples who had followed Jesus for three–and–a–half years had all run away out of fear, forgetting what Jesus had told them about his death and resurrection. This Joseph, a Jewish leader, an honoured member of the Council, a man of riches and influence, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus, boldly and fearlessly came forward to do the right thing, even at the risk of his life. In addition, he gave up his own tomb for Jesus.

Thoughts to ponder: Where are our Nigerian leaders as innocent and unarmed citizens are being butchered by bandits? Are there no bold, fearless, rich and influential Christian leaders in Nigeria, like Joseph of Arimathea, that can speak the truth to our leaders about these situations and get positive results?

ACTION: Resolve never to be ashamed of Jesus.

PRAYER: Make me bold for you, Lord Jesus.