Joseph of Arimathea

As evening approached, 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.) Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance.  Mark 15:43-46 NLT

Joseph, from the city of Arimathea, in Judea, was a member of the Sanhedrin (the high council).   He was risking his status with the Jewish leaders by making such a bold move.  The gospel of John describes him as a "secret" disciple of Jesus (19:38).  

He was also risking the wrath of Pilate.  "According to Roman law, a close family member could come and take away the body of an executed person. But there was no entitlement for a non-relative. There was a risk that a request from a non-relative would be denied and the body dumped, denying it proper burial. Tradition and sentiment also demanded that the body be interred with those of other family members, and not in the tomb of a stranger."  (wikipedia.com)

Joseph was also a prophecy fulfilled.  In Isaiah 53, one of the most interesting descriptions of the coming Messiah, we read:  "He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word.  He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.  And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth.  Unjustly condemned, he was led away.  No one cared that he died without descendants, that his life was cut short in midstream.  But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people.  He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.  But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.  (7-9)

So what can we learn from Joseph's life, from his presence in our Easter story?  I see three lessons:

1.  We must have convictions.
2.  We must have courage.
3.  We must have compassion.

Joseph had a conviction that Jesus was the Messiah.  Despite his position, the possible damage to his reputation and status, he believed.  He might have had to do it in secret, but he did not waver from his belief.

Joseph had the courage, upon Jesus' death, to defy his peers and Rome by asking for Jesus' body.  He wanted to give something to Jesus, a way to honor him somehow.  He didn't care who knew it.  He didn't count the cost.

Joseph had compassion upon Jesus and his family.  Jesus, who had nothing - not even a place to lay his head - had no place to be buried.  I'm not sure it even mattered to Jesus.  But it mattered to Joseph, and his care for Jesus' body, and the heart of Mary and his family, is evident in his desire to give Jesus' body proper care.

Joseph's desire to house Jesus' body shows that he didn't understand what the end was going to be.  He didn't understand the whole story.  But that's ok.  No one did.  And his lack of understanding does not erase the fact that his conviction, his courage, and his compassion are life lessons for us today.