Gospel in Samaria
69
With Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus had borne the expense of
the burial of Jesus. The disciples had been afraid to show themselves
openly as Christ’s followers, but Nicodemus and Joseph had come
boldly to their aid. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly
needed in that hour of darkness. They had been able to do for their
dead Master what it would have been impossible for the poor disciples
to do; and their wealth and influence had protected them, in a great
measure, from the malice of the priests and rulers.
[105]
Now, when the Jews were trying to destroy the infant church,
Nicodemus came forward in its defense. No longer cautious and ques-
tioning, he encouraged the faith of the disciples and used his wealth
in helping to sustain the church at Jerusalem and in advancing the
work of the gospel. Those who in other days had paid him reverence,
now scorned and persecuted him, and he became poor in this world’s
goods; yet he faltered not in the defense of his faith.
The persecution that came upon the church in Jerusalem resulted in
giving a great impetus to the work of the gospel. Success had attended
the ministry of the word in that place, and there was danger that
the disciples would linger there too long, unmindful of the Saviour’s
commission to go to all the world. Forgetting that strength to resist
evil is best gained by aggressive service, they began to think that they
had no work so important as that of shielding the church in Jerusalem
from the attacks of the enemy. Instead of educating the new converts
to carry the gospel to those who had not heard it, they were in danger
of taking a course that would lead all to be satisfied with what had
been accomplished. To scatter His representatives abroad, where they
could work for others, God permitted persecution to come upon them.
Driven from Jerusalem, the believers “went everywhere preaching the
word.”
Among those to whom the Saviour had given the commission, “Go
ye therefore, and teach all nations” (
Matthew 28:19
), were many from
the humbler walks of life—men and women who had learned to love
their Lord and who had determined to follow His example of unselfish
service. To these lowly ones, as well as to the disciples who had been
[106]
with the Saviour during His earthly ministry, had been given a precious
trust. They were to carry to the world the glad tidings of salvation
through Christ.