Learning from Joseph of Arimathea!

“And after this Joseph of Arimathea.” John 19:38.

 

This Joseph was a man of wealth and position, a member of the Jewish

Sanhedrin, secretly a disciple of Jesus. To the plans and decrees of the

Sanhedrin, which compassed at last the death of Jesus, he refused consent.

When Jesus had died upon the cross he went boldly to Pilate and begged

the body of Jesus. Possessing, as the wealthier Jews did frequently, a gar-

den outside the city walls, and having in this garden a new tomb wherein a

dead body had never lain, he caused the body of the Lord to be placed in it.

These things are about all we know of him. But what we know concerning

him surely suggests important lessons: I. The duty of standing for our con-

victions. His conduct in the Sanhedrin (Luke 23:51). II. When we bravely

do as duty prompts it shall not be as difficult for us as we may fear. Pilate

quickly and willingly gave the body (Mark 15:43-45). III. Doing the right

ourselves, our influence shall help others. The boldness of Joseph stimulated

Nicodemus (John 19:38, 39). IV. The impossibility of remaining a secret

disciple. If we are real disciples, circumstances will surely compel the 

disclosure of our discipleship (John 19:38).

 

 THE FAMILY ALTAR

September 3.

"How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?

And how shall they hear without a preacher?" Rom. 10:14.

In these days another school-year begins for our synodical

colleges and seminaries. From all over the country young men

are flocking to these institutions to resume their studies which

prepare them for the Lord's Gospel-work either in the parochial

school or in the holy ministry. These educational institutions

of our Church ought to be very near and dear to our heart; for,

as Luther writes, '[young people and students are the seed of the

Church. When we are dead and gone, whence would come our

successors, if not from the schools? For the sake of the Church

we must have and maintain schools." Sad, indeed, were the days

when our Church in this country lacked faithful and efficient

pastors and teachers because it lacked these educational institutions.

Then countless thousands died for want of the Bread of Life. We

nowadays feast at the richly laden table of God's saving Truth

and know nothing of such spiritual want and misery. If it is

really our heartfelt wish to nourish our souls unto our blessed end

with God's Word and Luther's doctrine pure and to hand this

priceless heritage down to our posterity, we must follow the shin-

ing example of our thoughtful and liberal forefathers who founded

our institutions for teachers and ministers, and, like them, deem

no sacrifice too great for their advancement or support. So many

among us forget the sacred duty we owe to the kingdom of our

Savior and neglect to further the cause of our "schools of the

prophets." May we ever be alive to their blessed cause and gladly

contribute toward their support. Let us pray : —

Lord Jesus, Thou exalted Head and Bishop of Thy blood-bought

Church, we humbly pray Thee to bless the students and teachers in our

colleges and seminaries during the present school-year. Do Thou dwell

in their midst with Thy Holy Spirit and direct, enlighten, and sanctify

both teachers and pupils. Preserve them from all false doctrine, from

pride of heart, and from an unrighteous life. Grant them good health

and a joyful spirit faithfully to discharge their respective duties as in-

structors or learners. Take the buildings, where they labor, under Thy

protecting care, and fill us all with love and zeal to support and further

the cause of these our schools to the glory of Thy great name and the

welfare of Thy blessed kingdom among us and all men. Hear us for Thy

mercy's sake. Amen.