I am fairly cheap so I bought the cheapest wallet I could find – one made of nylon and Velcro.  It was inexpensive cause it had a camouflage design to it.  Which is why I can’t find it when I need it. (Although neither can a pickpocket!)

The sight of it is somewhat embarrassing, but so is the sound.  When I go to remove my credit card to pay the waiter – the rip of the Velcro attracts a lot of unwanted attention.

I exaggerate a little, but I really do have such a wallet. (I wish I could find it.)

The point of camouflage is to disguise or to cause something or someone to blend into their surroundings. 

It brings to mind a guy who was a camo Christian.  He is mentioned in all four Gospels, but many don’t know of him because he was camouflaged.

Joseph of Arimathea was a good man who awaited God’s Messiah.  So, when he heard Jesus preach and saw His miracles – he believed.  He counted himself as a genuine disciple of Jesus. (Matthew 27:57)

However, he was also a member of the Sanhedrin, which was the ruling council of Israel.  Jesus was a controversial figure, and to publicly identify with him might jeopardize Joseph’s position.  

So, he said nothing and allowed others to assume he was loyal to the status quo.  The Scripture referred to him as a “secret” disciple. (John 19:38). 

The word secret is translated from the Greek word “krupto” which means to conceal or hide, which is what Joseph did with his faith.  It is the Greek word from where our English word “crypt” comes from.  A crypt is where the dead are placed.  Ironically, Joseph’s faith was a dead and unproductive faith. (James 2:26)

He evidently was absent the day that Jesus said, “You are the light of the world.  A city located on a hill cannot be hidden…let your light shine before people, so that they can see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.   (Matthew 5:14 & 16)

It was ironic that while I was writing this post, I learned of a very unsecret disciple.  Anthony is the father of a friend of mine and he deeply loves Jesus and enjoys every opportunity to speak of Him. 

He was employed by a car dealer in Wichita Falls, TX.  They had a problem with his faith and therefore told him, “From this moment forward, you are to cease and desist from uttering one word, spoken or in print, which is religious in nature.” 

He did his best to honor his employer while remaining loyal to Jesus.  But after 25 years of distinguished service, management terminated him.  They cited 3 instances where he mentioned the words, “King Solomon, Sunday School, and God.”

Before the meeting concluded he said, “As my last official act as an employee of this company, and as a longtime employee of this dealership, may I pray for you?”  After a couple of seconds of looking bewildered, one of them said, “I would love that.”  And so, I asked God to help them remember that Jesus is the safe harbor to whom they can run and in whom they can trust.”

Such courage – the kind that eventually gripped Joseph. 

Jesus was condemned by Joseph’s peers on the Sanhedrin – but without his consent. (Luke 23:51) Once Jesus had been crucified, Joseph brazenly asked Pilate for His body and had Him buried in his own tomb.  (Matthew 57:57-60)   The crucifixion of His Lord awakened and emboldened him. 

We remember him today not for his camo, but for his courage. 

Our culture wants to put the cuffs on we who believe.  But Jesus is the only way to heaven (John 14:6) and we must courageously proclaim it.  It was difficult for Joseph and costly to Anthony, but they did it anyway.  So shall we!  

A PRAYER: May those around us know that we love Jesus and that You, Lord are the only hope for this world. 

This has been Jim Johnson and pickleheavenpress.com

May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Scripture references are from the NETBible ®