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Do you know Joseph of Arimathea? He is a name that might come in handy in trivia sometime. He was the man who asked Pilate for the body of Christ. He then would proceed to bury Jesus in his own tomb. But there is more to Joseph than just a trivia answer. He was important enough to be mentioned by all four gospel writers. When we look closer at his story, we see a unique person who stepped up to do a job no one else was willing to do.
He was a man of courage. Mark says that he “took courage” and went and asked Pilate (Mark 15:43). He was a disciple of Jesus. He was even a part of the Sanhedrin council that had turned Jesus over for crucifixion. Luke records that he had not consented to their decision nor action (Luke 23:51). Joseph was courageous in that he went against the majority because of his faith in Jesus. When the Apostles were denying and running from Jesus, Joseph took courage and asked for his body.
He was a man who used his riches for God’s service. Matthew describes Joseph as a rich man (Mat. 27:57). Isaiah had prophesied long ago that Christ’s grave would be connected with a rich man (Isa. 53:9). Joseph uses his wealth to provide for Christ in death. He wraps him in a shroud and uses 75 lbs worth of spices and aloes with the help of his friend Nicodemus (John 19:39). A new tomb, that is a tomb that wasn’t previously used, was a rarity. It was a tomb that had be cut out of a rock. It wasn’t a natural cave. The offer of this tomb, likely made for him or his family, was a very generous offer. He demonstrated his faith by being generous with his wealth.
He was a good and righteous man. Joseph is described by Luke as being good and righteous. He was someone who was deeply spiritual and sought to do and behave good. He was seeking and looking for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:51). His desire for the rule of God in his life had led him to faith in Christ. He was a believer! His faith impacted his life.
Now that you know who Joseph of Arimathea really was, don’t you want to be like him? Be a person of courage. Use your wealth for the glory of God. Determine to be good and righteous in your actions. When you do, you may be just like Joseph, who was used by God for a job that no one else would do it.
