“Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)” (Mark 15:46 NLT).
A prominent member of the Sanhedrin named Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus after He was crucified. At great personal risk to his own reputation and huge financial cost, Joseph bought linen and spices to prepare Christ’s body for burial and then placed the body in his own newly carved out tomb. The tomb had never been used before. Joseph had probably purchased it for his own family. Yet, he could not bear to see the body of Christ thrown into the valley of Gehenna, where the bodies of criminals were often cast.
The gospel of John reported that another member of the Sanhedrin named Nicodemus joined Joseph in taking care of Christ’s body (John 19:39). Both of these men had secretly become followers of Jesus, but now they courageously came out to care for the body of Jesus.
That Jesus’ body would be buried in a rich man’s tomb was prophesied by Isaiah (Isa. 53:9). And this prophecy was fulfilled. Yet, Jesus only needed the tomb for a short while. For three days later, He was raised to life, just as He had said. And Joseph and Nicodemus were secret followers no more.
PRAYER: Dear Father, sometimes we behave as secret followers of Jesus. We are afraid to share our faith with others for fear of being rejected. Strengthen us to walk by faith, overcoming our fear, so that we can openly proclaim our faith in Jesus. We want the world to know that Jesus saves. In Jesus’ name, amen.