57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
From the other Gospels we discover that Joseph of Arimathea was not only wealthy but also a prominent member of the Council who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God (Mark 15:43). We discover as well that he went boldly to Pilate asking for our Lord’s body (Mark 15:43). Luke tells us that Joseph was a good and upright man. He also states that he had not consented to the decision and action of the Council to put Jesus to death (Luke 23:50-51). In the Gospel that bears his name, John tells us as well that Joseph was a disciple, a learner, a follower, and adherent of the Lord meaning he took Christ’s instruction and made it his rule of conduct. Yet he was a follower secretly because of his fear of the Jews (John 19:38). This is interesting in light of the fact that we discover in our verses for today Joseph approaching Pilate, casting his fears aside, boldly asking for Jesus’ body. We act on what we believe to be true. Joseph’s mind and heart had been moved – he was a changed man. His cold and waxy fears melted with the heat of his faith, passion and purpose. Oh for that to be true of us today as well! I am reminded of the words of Deuteronomy that could have possibly rung in Joseph’s ears:
13 Fear the LORD your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Deut 6:13 (NIV)
David also writes in the Psalms:
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him. 9 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. 10 The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Psalms 34:8-10 (NIV)
“As humans, we have heads, and therefore must be given facts and evidences and arguments in order to make reasonable commitments. And we have hearts with longings and yearnings and hopes and fears and desires. Therefore, if someone urges me to commit myself to a certain goal, he must persuade my head that the goal is really there as he says it is; and he must move my heart to feel the value of attaining it.” John Piper
Jesus tells us we are not to fear man rather God. That is, btw, the beginning of wisdom:
4 “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:4-5 (NIV)
“The only fear a Christian should entertain is the fear of sin. All other fears are from Satan sent to confuse and weaken us. How often the Lord reiterated to His disciples, ‘Be not afraid!’” Isobel Kuhn
In our verses for today we also see Joseph carefully tending the abused body of our Lord Jesus as evening fast approached. Beaten, bruised, nailed, pierced – shredded flesh – this kind man lovingly places Christ’s torn body on clean linen cloth. Such tender sympathy of heartfelt compassion! Visualize this in your mind for a moment. How carefully he must have handled Him. How gently he must have removed His battered body from the cross. What a picture of a faithful servant kindly tending to the needs of his Master at His death – no service would be thought too low to stoop for the One he served. I am reminded of Paul’s call to all in Colossians:
12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Col 3:12 (NIV)
“There must be a practical outworking of our faith here in this present world, or it will never endure in the world to come. We need fewer words and more charitable works; less palaver and more pity; less repetition of creed and more compassion.” Billy Graham
“The Christian’s compassion must be like God’s – unceasing.” William Barclay
Joseph laid Jesus in his own new tomb – a borrowed tomb. On earth, our Lord owned neither house to lay His head while living nor grave to lay His body in dying. He would not need either very long. Christ was buried to prove His death. He was placed in a prison tomb cut out of rock and sealed with rock and tightly guarded – there would be no room for suspect that His body could have been taken by His disciples.
Jesus took away the terror of the grave for us. He is no longer in the grave, He has risen. Death is swallowed up in sweet victory. Blessedly, because of the Cross of Christ, when we place our departed loved ones who followed Jesus in the grave and go home, it is not we who go home but rather they. He was buried to make His death more certain and His resurrection more glorious and illustrious.
53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Cor 15:53-55 (NIV)
“Who else has the answer to the frailty of life, the reality of death and the certainty of judgment than Jesus, who by His death destroyed him who holds the power of death and frees those whose lives are enslaved by the fear of death?” Alistair Begg