Buried by Strangers


Luke 23:50-56
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

We’ve studied 3 of the 4 Gospels at this point in the blog and a few patterns emerge as you work through these texts one verse after another, day by day. What has really come to light for me is the incredibly contentious relationship that Jesus had with the Sanhedrin (and specifically the Pharisees). You can’t miss this fact. A truly stunning turn comes in Jesus’ story when, after His death, it is two of these “enemies” who have His body removed from the cross and see to His burial!

These two men are Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who had asked Jesus how one can be “born again”.

John 19:39–40
39 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

While Nicodemus had a personal interaction with Jesus, we do not find any similar stories in the Gospels regarding Joseph of Arimathea. What follows him is tradition and some historical information that leads one to believe he had a very active faith-life after Jesus resurrection with some pretty fantastic stories of miracles and ministry.

Traditional, based on The Gospel of Nicodemus (a non-canonical writing from about 300ad) shares the following information. I include it only because it is interesting. I can’t testify as to its veracity.

After Jesus’ burial, the narrative states that the Jews began seeking Joseph, and Joseph is depicted as boldly confronting his accusers. The Jews seized Joseph and imprisoned him in a windowless house, sealed the door, and set guards at the door. When the crowd of Jews and the council assembled on the first day of the week, they opened the door and discovered that he was nowhere to be found. Later, Joseph was found in Arimathea. The council wrote a letter to Joseph acknowledging their wrongdoing against him. Then they sent a delegation of seven friends to deliver the letter. Joseph read the letter, blessed God, and provided the delegation with food and lodging. Joseph returned with the delegation to Jerusalem, where he was warmly greeted by the people. He then enjoyed a great feast at the house of Nicodemus along with the Jewish leaders. On the following day, the council went to the house of Nicodemus to inquire of Joseph. Joseph then related how Jesus miraculously delivered him from imprisonment. Jesus recounted to Joseph the details about His burial, adding the new detail that Joseph had placed a linen cloth upon His face. Jesus then brought Joseph back to his home. The council was struck with terror when they heard Joseph’s testimony.
Small, B. C. (2016). Joseph of Arimathea. In J. D. Barry, D. Bomar, D. R. Brown, R. Klippenstein, D. Mangum, C. Sinclair Wolcott, … W. Widder (Eds.), The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

These excursions into the lives of the people touch by our Lord lend a personal look into how a life can be changed by Jesus. Each of our stories of the faith are equally important to the Lord and while I have never experience a dramatic escape from imprisonment, my faith is also built by God Himself and His hand moves over my life daily, just as it did for Joseph of Arimathea. It took great courage for Joseph to stand against the Sanhedrin and I pray that I would exhibit a similar courage should my faith be challenged as well.

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