Secret Mission

Secret Mission

John 19: ³⁸ After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. ³⁹ And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. ⁴⁰ Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. ⁴¹ Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴² So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.

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“Things have not been communicated, but we want you to run the division” were the words I was elated to hear. “But you cannot tell anyone” were the words I did not mind, but were rather constraining. I had to do everything covertly for fear of causing issues with the old leadership who was about to leave. It was very uncomfortable.

• Sometimes I had to operate secretly.
• Sometimes I had to keep the power given to me a secret.
• Sometimes I had to pretend I was one thing when I was really another thing.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were high ranking officials in the community. Their belief in JESUS was a higher calling so they had to serve HIM undercover. They got HS body and placed HIM in a tomb meant for a king. They secretly spent a lavish amount  in reverence for our LORD.

• There are times when JESUS wants me to secretly serve HIM.
• There are times when JESUS sends me on a mission that cannot be openly shared.
• There are times when JESUS guides me to people who need to hear, but in secret.

There are people all over the globe who are serving JESUS in secret. I mean they cannot say they believe in JESUS as their Savior out loud for fear of persecution. BUT GOD knows their heart. HE sees their every move and is excited to bless them with every prayer they silently say. For those who cannot boldly open their mouths, you are heard by GOD.

• Are you in a position where you cannot boldly speak about GOD because you will be persecuted?
• Are you losing your faith because no one around you can hear about your belief in GOD?
• Will you keep your faith strong, knowing GOD sees you and hears you and loves you dearly?

Knowing What is Needed

Matthew 6: “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. ⁸ Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

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“Please let the stock rise higher” was my “prayer-ish” thought. I was trying something new and I wanted to see if it would work. I invested in a “penny” stock to see if I could make some extra cash. I watched the value increase to a point just under my threshold. I figured the value would keep increasing. Suddenly it fell and fell and fell. Weeks later I got a letter stating the stock had no value.

• Sometimes the motive behind my prayer isn’t the best.
• Sometimes the method behind my prayer is loud and boisterous.
• Sometimes the length of my prayer, compared to “that” person, is too long.

Communicating to the GOD of the universe requires thinking sometimes. I mean other times when there is an emergency there may be no time to think. There are other times however that maybe I should stop for a moment and process what I’m about to ask GOD.

• GOD wants me to take prayer seriously.
• GOD wants me to have a habit of praying in secret so HE will reward me, not people.
• GOD wants me to want what HE wants so my prayers can align with HIS will.

Praying to be seen or heard is what GOD seems to be against in this passage. HE sees when I am trying to be the center of attention and rejects the prayer. Since HE wants me to succeed, HE teaches me to pray. HE guides me to acknowledge HIM as supreme, debts, temptation and HIS power to overcome anything.

GOD takes prayer very seriously. Whether eyes open or closed, head up or bowed, GOD takes time to listen to me. HE wants me to pray while walking, driving or in a closet on my knees. GOD listens when I earnestly pray.

• Are you trying to be seen by others when you pray?
• Do you feel you pray “better” than “that” person?
• Will you stop comparing yourself to others or trying to be seen and sincerely pray to the unseen GOD?