Take Courage

"Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the Council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus." ^ESV Mark 15:43

The prisoners were all dead. The Roman guard made sure of that by either breaking bones or spearing them in the side. The centurion in charge witnessed the death of Jesus himself. The Romans were very good at executions. The next step, though perhaps not immediately, would have been to take the bodies down from the place of crucifixion and throw them in a garbage heap just outside the city. That’s what it was like to die with the wicked during the time of Jesus.

Hundreds of years earlier the prophet Isaiah had predicted that Jesus would die in the same manner as wicked men but he also tells us that Jesus would be entombed like a rich man (see Isaiah 53:9). How would God bring this improbable scenario about? All but one disciple deserted Jesus when he was taken into custody, public sentiment was at an all time low, and the gospel accounts mention only a few loyal disciples watching the crucifixion from a distance; enter Joseph of Arimathea.

Joseph of Arimathea was a respected member of the Council; perhaps one of the same governing councils that had convicted Jesus the night before. Joseph was different though. Joseph was looking and waiting for the kingdom of God and based on his actions, it’s not difficult to conclude that he saw that kingdom in the person of Jesus.

The move was bold and courageous; even daring. It took courage to go against public sentiment. It took courage to go against his friends and peers on the Council. It took courage to meddle in the affairs of a Roman crucifixion. It took money, time and effort, but Joseph did and expended all these things and then stood alone before Pilate and asked the question: May I have the body of Jesus? Yes, it took courage, but Joseph could not bear to see Jesus the body of Jesus discarded in a trash heap. It took courage to be a disciple even in death but it was a courage born of love for Jesus.

The rest of the story is familiar. Joseph took the body, prepared it with Nicodemus’ help, and buried Jesus in a freshly hewn tomb that was secured with a heavy stone. The Council, with Pilate’s permission, even placed a guard out front. But the tomb, not even death itself, could hold Jesus and three days later he rose from the dead and left the tomb. Joseph’s faith and love was well founded!

Take courage this day. Live as a disciple of Jesus. At times it will mean standing against society. At times it will mean standing against friends. At times it will even mean standing against family. But take courage and stand this day for the risen Lord Jesus.