Day 30: Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27: 57-60)
Joseph couldn’t believe what he had just witnessed. How could his fellow Jewish Councilmen have put Jesus to death on a Roman cross? Why, oh why, hadn’t he been more courageous in his stand against their evil plot? Sorrow filled his heart, the sorrow that comes from losing someone dear to you. But another sorrow plagued him even more. He hadn’t stood up for Jesus when the opportunity presented itself.
Looking at his Savior dying on the cross, Joseph remembered clearly the day he first believed in Jesus and how his heart had been transformed. His riches and prominent position on the Jewish Council didn’t matter anymore. His focus was now on Jesus and the good and righteous life he was now called to live out. He truly had become a disciple of Jesus, and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. But even then, fear had gripped his heart, and he kept his belief a secret from the Council.
Tormented by the truth of his life, Joseph screamed out in his heart, “Why have I let fear rule my life?” Wanting to look one more time into the eyes of Jesus, Joseph left his thoughts for a moment, but only discovered that Jesus had breathed His last breath. “Never again will it rule me!” he yelled to his Lord.
Gathering every bit of courage that he could muster, Joseph went before Pilate, asking for the body of his Lord. He refused to think of all the possible consequences of his current action. It was not the Council that was on his mind, but doing what was right and appropriate for Jesus. When Pilate determined through a centurion that Jesus had indeed died, he agreed to let Joseph take His body.
Joseph from Arimathea and his friend Nicodemus, who brought the necessary burial spices, tenderly removed Jesus from the cross, and prepared His body, and carefully wrapped Him in linen. Then Joseph placed Jesus’ lifeless body in his own tomb and sealed it. Finally, he had taken a bold stand for what was right. Finally he could claim that he was a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Joseph laid Jesus in his own tomb, where he should have been laid for his own sins. What a great picture we have been given! Jesus died for your sins. Are you now living for Him by standing up for Him? Are you a true follower? Do you hide your faith behind your fear?
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