Luke
23:50-53 (ESV) Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of
Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had
not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom
of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took
it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone,
where no one had ever yet been laid.
It is unfortunately rare to find
someone courageous enough to take his or her own position in opposition to the
most elite and powerful group in the country, one that demands compliance from
all its members. Joseph of Arimathea was one such person. He was a member of
the Sanhedrin – the highest decision making body of the Jewish nation. Part of
this council was responsible for handing Jesus over to the Romans to be
crucified. Joseph had nothing to do with that. He was probably not invited to
the meeting.
Joseph saw in Jesus something his colleagues
were not willing to see. He saw the risk of losing their credibility by
supporting Jesus was worth it in the long run. The Kingdom of God is far more
valuable than the approval of people. Because he understood and believed,
Joseph went out of his way in generous support of Jesus. He took a huge risk of
public shame by asking Pilate for Jesus’ body. He had paid the huge expense to
have a tomb cut out of rock then allowed Jesus to be the first set in it
(ensuring he would be “unclean” by contact with another dead body). He even
donated the linen shroud for Jesus to be wrapped in. This was no Walmart special.
Luke describes Joseph as a man “good
and righteous.” Being courageously generous is a true demonstration of that.
What might hold you back from giving Jesus your all? Is it a fear of what
others might think or is it a fear of giving up something valuable?
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