Joseph of Arimathea

Mark 15: 43-46

43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.

I believe this is a good opportunity to recognize that not all Jewish leaders hated Jesus.  Sometimes we lump the whole into a group of a few or the majority; but we have to know it may not be every one - in any situation.  Joseph of Arimathea was an honored member of the high council that crucified Jesus, and a secret disciple of Jesus Christ.  Some questions may be floating through your head, such as, "Why didn't he protest this?  Or stop it?"  And the answer is just another question, "How do you suppose he would have done this?"


In the appointed time, Joseph risked his reputation to give a proper burial to his LORD.  Isn't it hard to risk our reputations? And for some reason it's harder for us to risk our reputation for good, than it is for all the bad and evil stuff we get ourselves into.  If your Christian witness endangers your reputation, remember Joseph.  There are no other members of the Jewish High council that stood for Jesus, that I can name; how about you?  But we do know Joseph.


You know the moments where you're supposed to move, to act, to say, to do something no matter how big or small, that takes a stand and moves in faith of the God that we serve.  Can I encourage each of us to not allow these appointed times to pass us by, because of the fear of what someone else may think or label us?
God is our Judge.  The ONLY one.  He is the One that we should be thinking about.  As we seek Him, we will move in the right timing.  People may try to make our lives more difficult than they have to be at times, but remember, they have NO authority.  NONE!  Unless you give it to them.  Give God the authority that is His, and step boldly in everything that He is calling you to do today.




Right now pray over your specific situation, and in Jesus Name move forward towards the goal.