Out of the shadows

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Luke 23:51

Joseph of Arimathea came, a respected member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43

Sometimes we have to cross the line.  And identify ourselves with the man on the cross.  

Things have not changed much in the past 2,000 years.  Rumors and misinformation and whacked-out crowds have been, and most likely always will be, associated with Him.  And Joseph had his position and power to think about and to protect.  

But it the quiet hours of the setting sun, just as the color lines are drawn and the greys become black and the reds and golds of the sunset glimmer, the line drawn in the dust before our feet becomes clear.  

Rather He than they.  Rather He who has done no wrong but acted in love and faithfulness unto the bloody end, than they, the roiling political beasts, fickle and striving, the eyes of man.

Who is more trustworthy?

And in this bold step of public alignment, Joseph of Arimathea forever stepped into the spotlight of Well done, good and faithful servant for all of recorded history, stepped into the great drama whose script had been conceived before the first Let there be Light.

Rather than wait for the Kingdom in the secret shadows, full of fear and impotence.  

The Kingdom is here and now, to be lived boldly.