Jump Start # 83

Luke 23:52 “this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”

  Our passage shows the courage and faith of Joseph of Arimathea. The Gospels give us several bullet points about this man.

• He was rich
• He already owned a tomb, a new one
• He was a member of the council that ordered the death of Jesus (he did not consent)
• He was righteous
• He was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews

  Luke adds to this list that he was “good.” The word “good” has lost it’s value because we call so many things good. God used it very sparingly. There are only three people actually called “good” in the Bible. I’m sure others were, they just weren’t called that. God never used that word on a king, prophet, or apostle. It was used on a messenger of David. Barnabas is called good, and here, Joseph, the man who buried Jesus, was called “good.” It’s something for God to call a person good.

  Two things stand out about the actions of Joseph after the death of Jesus. First, is the courage to approach Pilate and ask for the body. Joseph was afraid of the Jews. If word got out about his faith in Jesus, he would lose his position, status and influence. Much was at stake. More than that, he did not know for sure that Pilate might kill all the followers of Jesus. The Jews were thirsty for blood that day. It took great risks and courage for Joseph to do what he did. Sometimes, often times, we must look beyond our self to do what we know is right. Many get nervous or scared about inviting friends to church services. What if they say “no” or worse, make fun of me? Sometimes you just have to look beyond yourself and do what is right. I’ve known parents who mustered the courage to call the school and complain to the principal about inappropriate things going on at the school. The spirit and courage of Joseph is what caused the reformers to stand up against the powerful Catholic system in years gone by. It was first found in the early Christians, who when faced with death would not stop preaching Jesus. Revelation 12:11 says, “they did not love their life even when faced with death.” This courage has led people to ask their preachers where the Bible authority was for some of their practices. Some get to the point where they realize that their church simply isn’t following the Bible any more. They face a difficult situation. Their head tells them this isn’t right, but their heart is afraid. They find the courage of a Joseph and seek a church that is following the New Testament pattern. I’m thankful for Joseph. Afraid, yes. But that didn’t stop him. His faith and courage was greater than his fear.

  The second action that stands out is that Joseph took the body of Jesus down and buried it. I can only imagine that scene. The tears, the carefully handling the body, the respectful and solemn thoughts that must have gone through his mind. At that point Joseph didn’t care if the Jews or his fellow council members saw him. Jesus deserved to be buried and not thrown in some common paupers grave. At the moment with all the emotions going on, he probably didn’t realize that God was using him to fulfill prophecy—Jesus would be buried in a borrowed tomb, his tomb. Joseph had help, Nicodemus was there, the devote ruler of the Jews, also a disciple. The Bible records no words, prayers or thoughts of these two men as they did their work. I can’t help but think after they wrapped Jesus in linen and laid his body carefully in the tomb, that they paused, looked at the body and made some reflection. I’ve done many funerals. I can’t fathom what I would have said if I stood where Joseph did. Then they closed the tomb by rolling a stone in front of it. The stone won’t stay there long, Jesus would be resurrected in a few days.

  Joseph, a good man. A man that shoved his fears to the back and did what was right! The spirit of Joseph has lived in every generation. Is it in you?

Roger