Joseph of Arimathea

Compelled to Speak

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. Matthew 27:59

Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish high council. His wealth and education gave him both power and prestige. He was also a disciple of Jesus (John 19:38). Maybe he had stood in the crowds near the temple along with his fellow council members, as skeptical of the popular teacher and miracle worker as they were. Perhaps, like Nicodemus, he had come to Jesus under the cloak of darkness to question, learn, and believe.

Somewhere, somehow, his curiosity became conviction—a certainty that Jesus was the Messiah for whom he waited. However, Joseph “feared the Jews” so he kept his discipleship secret (John 19:38).

Luke records that the “whole Jewish council” took Jesus to Pilate, so Joseph would’ve been present when the religious leaders accused Jesus of “subverting [the] nation” (23:1-2). But apparently Joseph didn’t defend Jesus. How did this silent disciple feel when Pilate released Jesus into the custody of the murderous crowd (v. 25)?

After Jesus’s death, Joseph couldn’t remain silent any longer. He knew the bodies of state criminals were the property of the Roman government and often cast into mass graves. Joseph didn’t want the Messiah’s body to be desecrated that way. His status gave him access to Pilate, so Joseph went to him and boldly asked that Jesus’s body be released into his custody (John 19:38).

Isaiah prophesied that God’s Anointed One would be buried in a rich man’s tomb, and Joseph fulfilled that prophecy when he used his own burial place for Jesus. He and Nicodemus fulfilled another prophecy when they wrapped Jesus’s body in myrrh and aloes (Psalm 45:8; John 19:40).

After Jesus rose from the dead, did he seek out Joseph? Did he give Joseph a big hug and thank him for his bold actions? I like to think he did. After all, our Good Shepherd is quick to forgive his sheep when we disappoint him and quick to encourage us when we do what is right.

Sometimes, like Joseph, I keep silent when I should speak up. How about you? Do you always let people know you’re a Christian, or do you stay quiet sometimes too? Let’s obey the Spirit and boldly tell others that we are disciples of Jesus. Let’s embrace second chances as Joseph did.

DIG DEEPER

Take time to read the Scriptures about Joseph of Arimathea this week and pray for boldness to speak about your faith. Read Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, and John 19:38-42.

Read more about Nicodemus in John 3:1-21. Did Jesus scold him for coming secretly? What was Jesus’s rebuke in verses 10-12? What was Jesus most concerned about that night?

Read 2 Timothy 1:7-12. Paul uses the word ashamed three times in this passage. What was he trying to teach young Pastor Timothy? What enabled Paul to speak boldly about Christ? Can we have that same boldness?

Denise K. Loock