Luke 23:50-56
If you take your time – and read slowly – you will find gems in Scripture.
Someone you may not be super familiar with in the Bible is Joseph of Arimathea. Luke actually spends several verses telling us about this man.
Joseph of Arimathea
• from a Jewish town
• a member of the council
• a good and righteous man
• had not consented to the council’s decision
• was looking for the kingdom of God
• went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus
• took the body down, wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb
Joseph serves as a reminder that not everyone in a specific group has the same values or prejudices. This man was a Jewish member of the council but he was good and righteous.
He did not consent to the decision and actions of those who sentenced Jesus. [Think about the word “consent” here. We talked about this same word with Judas – only he did consent.]
Joseph showed courage in going to Pilate and asking for the body of Jesus. And he showed compassion in his treatment of the body.
👉 Every time I read about this man carefully wrapping the body of Jesus – I am reminded of Mary wrapping a baby in swaddling cloths all those years before.
I can’t help but imagine God the Father looking through time and placing Mary and Joseph of Arimathea in place to gently care for His Son in his greatest moments of weakness.
Happy Sunday, sweet friends.
