March 8

Secret Discipleship

He came to Jesus at night. — John 3:2 BSB

It was better for Nicodemus to come at night than not to come at all, though we usually think of his visit as an act of timidity. However, it’s worth noting that Jesus didn’t criticize him or reject his secret approach. In fact, He welcomed Nicodemus warmly and taught him in the quiet setting that Nicodemus felt comfortable with.

We should also remember that the times were very different back then. Christ hadn’t yet died, and the Christian Church hadn’t been established. Today, secret discipleship is not acceptable in the same way it might have been for Nicodemus. Yet, even in his case, it wasn’t a lasting or satisfactory solution. Eventually, Nicodemus couldn’t remain a secret follower any longer. When Jesus died on the cross, and His body was about to be buried in disgrace among criminals, it was Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea, both previously secret disciples, who stepped forward and gave Him an honorable burial. The sight of Jesus’ death awakened their hesitant love and gave them the courage to publicly show their devotion.

Secret discipleship doesn’t bring peace to the heart, and it doesn’t allow a person to live out a full Christian life. If we truly love Christ, we should openly confess Him, especially when doing so brings Him honor and blessing to us. We are promised that those who confess Christ here on earth will be acknowledged by Him before angels and people on the day of judgment.