In Secret

There was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, who had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the Rock, where no one had ever been placed. It was preparation day and the Sabbath was about to begin. The women who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how the body was placed. Then they returned home and prepared spices according to the commandment. Luke 23:50-56

Arimathea is not know apart from the gospels account of the place. However, there are a few ideas as to what it might represent. Needless to say, he did not come from Jerusalem, however he may have been in Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. The Sanhedrin were a group of 71 men who judged legal issues relating to the temple. There were local branches as well as the main group in Jerusalem. In this court system there was an accuser who called witnesses and the accused who did likewise and defended himself. The Sanhedrin did not have power to put someone to death. They lost there existing powers when the temple was destroyed, in around 70 AD.

Joseph was a secret believer and he shows leadership by approaching Pilate for Jesus' body. He buys a tomb in a garden nearby and has Jesus' body placed there. This scripture tells us it was a new tomb. Previously I had been looking at the scripture in Psalm 22 that indicated that Jesus was buried with wicked men. Perhaps this indicates more the timeline rather than the place. The robbers and Jesus were all taken down from the cross around the same time, as the Sabbath was approaching.

Joseph risks his future by his actions here. He had previously been a secret believer. The members of the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem would now know about Jesus' latest follower. Loyalty eventually must emerge, especially when faced with such a dilemma. I saw what was done with the bodies of the robbers taken down from the cross in the movie 'Risen'. They were rolled into a shallow grave full of other dead men, not a nice place, not a place for Jesus' body.

Joseph buys a tomb, fine linen and wraps Jesus in the linen in preparation for burial. He did not understand what must happen next, neither did the women who went away to prepare spices. Even if Joseph did understand, would he have done any less? I don't think so, it was a matter of honour. The man who had opened his eyes to the kingdom of God, who had set him free. I would have done the same.

Being open about our faith can challenge all we are, invite banishment, judgement and even inprisonment. However, when you know Jesus, have a relationship with Him, how can you turn away? May His grace sustain you! Amen!