Joseph of Arimathea

“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. Then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews’ Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby.”

(John 19:38–42)

Joseph of Arimathea is an interesting figure in the gospel. He does not appear until after Christ has been crucified, but each of the gospel accounts mention him with some detail. He is called “a rich man,” “a prominent council member,” “a good and just man,” one “who was waiting himself for the kingdom of God,” and we are assured that “he had not consented to [the council’s] decision and deed,” i.e., to crucify Jesus. The text here in John emphasizes that he was indeed a follower of Jesus, a disciple. But he was one of the “secret disciples,” a group of men, which included Nicodemus as well, who did not own Jesus outright “for fear of the Jews.” They “feared men more than God,” the Bible says.

But, interestingly, the death of Christ changed things for Joseph. Although he believed in Jesus to some degree, he had been too ashamed to be identified with Jesus when He was living. But now, after Jesus has been formally accused, found guilty by the Jewish courts, condemned, and then executed in a fashion reserved for the worst of criminals—now Joseph of Arimathea is bold enough to want to honor Christ, approaching the highest Roman official in the land for “rights” to the body.

Add to this that the law of God itself proclaimed any body that hung upon a tree was “accursed,” and that to touch any dead body was defiling, here right before the High Sabbath, and it is quite apparent that Joseph’s actions are nothing short of amazing. He, almost alone, as it were, honors Christ at His death.

Honored by the wealthy at His death as He had been at His birth with “myrrh” and other spices, Jesus, although “despised and rejected by men,” receives the burial of one who is loved greatly. Joseph himself is now honored by the voice of the Holy Spirit as one of the few who honored our Lord at His death.

How much more, then, should we be bold enough to honor a living and risen Lord who, banishing through His resurrection any doubts as to His claims to be the Son of God, reigns on high as victorious King over all the earth. Jesus leaves no room for “secret disciples”: “Whoever is ashamed of Me . . . of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed.” (Mark 8:38) Let us embrace Him in His shameful death, knowing especially what glory His death purchased for us; let us stand beside Joseph and Nicodemus and honor Him at His burial; and let us without shame or hesitation spend every breath honoring and serving and loving our risen Lord and Savior.

“Heavenly Father, we give thanks again for our dear Savior’s death upon the cross for our sakes, to purchase our salvation. We give You thanks for those who, suffering dishonor themselves, honored Christ at His death and burial. Grant that we would be willing to honor Christ openly with our lives, bearing His name, obeying His voice, following in His steps, and embracing wholeheartedly His service, we pray in Christ’s name. Amen.”