PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Mark 15:42-47
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council… went boldly to Pilate.” (Mark 15:43)
Joseph was a member of the religious leadership that crucified Jesus.
Together with Nicodemus (another religious leader) they buried Jesus (John 19:38-39).
This was a gutsy move, knowing how the Jewish leaders hated and resisted Jesus.
Because Jesus was a blasphemer, accursed by God, he didn’t deserve a proper burial.
But these two men were so impacted by Jesus, they went against their own peers.
I wonder how things worked out for them; we never hear of them again.
Did they come to believe that Jesus was God’s messiah?
Did they accept the good news that in Jesus the kingdom of God had come?
Were they kicked out of the Jewish ruling Council, shunned by friends and family?
What did they lose by standing up for Jesus; or better question, what did they gain?
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:29)
What have I lost by going public as a follower of Jesus?
What have I gained?
PRAYER
Lord, I did not suffer for choosing to follow you, but many people do. I pray especially for them, that you would support and strengthen them, and remind them deep within of how much they have gained in you.
“Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.” Mark records that Joseph went boldly – he also records that Joseph was also waiting for the kingdom of God – I think it meant he was waiting for the Messiah. He saw what happened – the sham of justice – did He now like the centurion see things differently. I think so. I wonder what was going through his mind went He took down Jesus’ body. Is this what is supposed to happen to a Messiah?? What about the next day when Jesus rises from the grave! I’m sure Jesus and Joseph meet! Like Joseph we too get to meet the risen Messiah – our Saviour! It is life altering important that we do!!
Joseph went against the flow – as a member of the Sanhedrin, he courageously went to ask for the body of Christ. He buried the Lord in the tomb which was an expense for him. The women who followed Jesus saw all of this but there is no mention of the disciples. Joseph did this out of love – a servant’s heart. he gathered up the courage to do what he did. People do change and stand up for Jesus. Fear may have stopped him speaking out before. God changes lives giving strength in our weaknesses to stand up for Jesus.
Stand up, stand up for Jesus
ye soldiers of the cross;
lift high his royal banner,
it must not suffer loss.
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
his army he shall lead
till ev’ry foe is vanquished
and Christ is Lord indeed.