Thursday: Laid to Rest
Daily Lesson for Thursday 19th of September 2024
Read Mark 15:42-47. What is the significance of Joseph of Arimathea’s intervention, especially since all of Jesus’ disciples were nowhere to be seen?
After all that drama, the more “mundane” things happen next. For starters, dead people always have to be buried. But several factors in what follows are quite touching spiritually, and others are extremely important historically.
In this passage, Joseph of Arimathea appears for the first and last time in the Gospel of Mark. He was a respected member of the Sanhedrin and one of the “urban elites.” As a wealthy and respected man, he had standing with the governor, which explains how he could dare approach Pilate and ask for the body of Jesus. It is a touching detail that a member of the council took such interest in Jesus’ burial. Meanwhile, where were Jesus’ trusted disciples in all this?
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One historical detail of extreme importance here is the verification of the death of Jesus. Mark 15:43 tells of Joseph’s request for the body of Jesus. But Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus already was dead (Mark 15:44). He, therefore, summoned the centurion in charge of the crucifixion and asked if Jesus was dead already. The centurion confirmed that it was so.
This is important because of the later claim by some that Jesus did not die on the cross but only fainted. The testimony of the centurion to the Roman governor directly counters that assertion. The Romans did, after all, know how to execute criminals.
Joseph brought a linen shroud to wrap Jesus, and he laid His body in a tomb hewn from rock. This tomb was large enough to walk into (Mark 16:5). Along with Joseph, the Gospel writer notes two women who saw the location—Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joses. These two, along with Salome, watched the Crucifixion from a distance; all three will go to the tomb on Sunday morning with the intention to complete their work of embalming Jesus (Mark 16:1).
Why the reference to these three women? They will be the witnesses to the empty tomb in Mark 16:1-20 and thus are important witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus.
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How ironic that Jesus’ followers are “missing in action” while a member of the Sanhedrin, the very body that condemned Jesus, becomes the “hero” here. How can we be sure that, in crucial times, we are not missing in action either? |
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"What is the significance of Joseph of Arimathea’s intervention, especially since all of Jesus’ disciples were nowhere to be seen?"
God has his people who come out of the 'woodwork' at the right time. Super incubating to us is the Desire of Ages account of two such men. Read the account.
"Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus had openly accepted the Saviour while He was living. They knew that such a step would exclude them from the Sanhedrin, and they hoped to protect Him by their influence in its councils. For a time they had seemed to succeed; but the wily priests, seeing their favor to Christ, had thwarted their plans. In their absence Jesus had been condemned and delivered to be crucified. Now that He was dead, they no longer concealed their attachment to Him. While the disciples feared to show themselves openly as His followers, Joseph and Nicodemus came boldly to their aid. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at this time. They could do for their dead Master what it was impossible for the poor disciples to do; and their wealth and influence protected them, in a great measure, from the malice of the priests and rulers. Desire of Ages 773.4
That's not all the story of Nicodemus read The Desire of Ages Chapter 1. Especially the last few paragraphs.
Not only does Chapter 17 detail John 3, it also gives more detail of Nicodemus.
There are two take-aways from this part of the Crucifixion story:
In reference to the second point, I am reminded of the Azaria Chamberlain case in Australia in the 1980s. Lindy Chamberlain, a Seventh-day Adventist was falsely accused of murdering her baby at Uluru (Ayer's Rock) and was ultimately jailed. The case occupied the headlines in Australian years for over 5 years. The story of her ultimate release and vindication is too long to tell here, but it is important to mention that there were several people of influence who fought fearlessly for the truth. In particular, Malcolm Brown, a reporter for "The Sydney Morning Herald" reported the case with integrity right from the very beginning. It takes a lot to stand up against popular opinion and political interference to report and comment on a high-profile case in the news. in 2012 the ABC-TV program :Australian Story featured an episode on his life titled "A Man of His Word".
Others, too, had the integrity to not only make public statements but to work on the forensic and legal evidence that ultimately regained the Chamberlains' innocence.
We do not know much about Joseph of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, rich enough to own a tomb, and caring enough to face the authorities and ask to give Jesus a proper burial. Who knows who God has placed in the right place to see that good is done in spite of evil.
Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus both believed in Jesus and would have interfered with the council's plan to condemn and have Jesus crucified. This is why they had their sham "kangaroo court" secretly at night and didn't inform them.
Now that they had done their dirty work, Joseph and Nicodemus would expose them for their treacherous plot. Knowing that the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees wouldn't dare put them out of the temple because of their wealth and influence, Joseph uses his political capital to ask Pilate for the body of Jesus, so that he could receive a proper burial instead of him being discarded in the dump as was often the case with crucified "criminals". This was a very shrewd move on Joseph's part and I believe that it caused several other priests to believe in Jesus. Giving up his own tomb for Jesus was the least he could do, however Jesus is only going to borrow it until the first day.
I have been intrigued with the "Shroud of Turin" since I first learned about it in the early 1980's. Could this indeed be the burial linen that Joseph of Arimathea purchased? I believe so. The most scientific minds of even today can't figure out how a three dimensional negative image was imprinted upon a linen from the early first century A.D.. Once again God shows that the wisdom of man is foolishness to God.
LORD make me like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. No matter how poor, backward, sinful, unskillful I am, there is something I can do for you. Though I cannot sing like Angels nor preach like Paul, may I use my little resources to foster your gospel. Amen
How many times have I denied Jesus? How often have I been quiet when I should proclaim Jesus' love for me? How many times I did nothing when I was supposed to stand for the truth?
Undoubtedly, our actual character is revealed in a crisis; let us learn from the Master and appreciate His actions to reconcile us with perfection. His death is the grace we need to mirror our selfish shame.