Luke 23:50-56

1. We see that Christ has some disciples of whom little is known.
2. We see the reality of Christ's death.

"At the very time when the apostles had forsaken Jesus, Joseph is not ashamed to show his love and respect. Others had confessed Him while He was living and doing miracles. It was reserved for Joseph to confess Him when He was dead."

"If Christ did not really die, there would be an end of all the comfort of the gospel. Nothing short of His death could have paid man's sin-debt to God. His incarnation, and sermons, and parables, and miracles, and sinless obedience to the law would have availed nothing if He had not died."

Questions:

1. Ryle mentions that we know nothing of Joseph before or after this event, and it teaches us that Jesus has friends of whom the church knows little or nothing. Ryle encourages us, in light of this, to be charitable and hopeful in our judgments. Could this be said of us?
2. We see in this text witness to the reality that Christ actually died, a reality without which the penalty for our sins would remain on us. Brother or sister, here we see the penalty for our sin! Here we see the love of God for sinners! Why not take a few minutes right now to thank and praise the Lord for His grace?