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 much the Jewish leaders hated and resisted Jesus.
Jesus didn’t deserve a proper burial, he was a heretic, a blasphemer, accursed by God!
But these men were so impacted by Jesus that they went public with their faith.
Their fellow leaders knew, because they were guarding the tomb from the disciples.
I wonder how things worked out for them; we never do 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 their neighbours or family?
What did they lose by going public for Jesus… or a 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 being 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!
It says that Joseph went boldly to Pilate and got permission. He himself went to Golgotha (execution hill) and got his hands dirty with a dead body. It was very very public – and people would have recognized him. And then he did this loving and caring act – with Mary Magdalene and it sounds like his Mother there also. Joseph must of witnessed the death and as soon as it was over he went to Pilate. He was convicted – and not afraid of the other prominent leaders anymore. Am I ashamed of the cross? It doesn’t make a lot of sense to ‘modern day’ people – even the concepts of creation – fall – redemption – why does someone need to ‘redeem’ from my sin? Lord help me to be bold and to be wise in helping others come to know that there is a God – and that he is reaching out to them – offering life in its fullest through Jesus – the key!
Standing up for Jesus.
A member of the council broke his silence and approached Pilate. Jesus would not be left unburied for the wild creatures, but was buried in the tomb and the women watched. They desired to give Him a proper burial. They all believed and yet stayed at a distance. The women came after the Sabbath to give their Master the proper burial away from the crowds. They were His followers, His disciples.
And I too need to stand up for Jesus. He died so I can live. Lead me and guide me by Your Spirit Lord as I live this day in Your presence.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.