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, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 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. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. (Luke 23:50-54)
In the aftermath of an...
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, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 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. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. (Luke 23:50-54)
In the aftermath of an unjust crucifixion, we are introduced to a man of quiet courage – Joseph of Arimathea. As a member of the Jewish council, Joseph was wealthy, respected, and held a prestigious position. Yet when the Sanhedrin demanded Jesus' death, Joseph “had not consented to their decision and action.” While others went along with the crowd, Joseph stood apart. While Pilate gave in to pressure, Joseph held to conviction. And while others sought to protect their status, Joseph looked for the kingdom of God.
This is no small thing. In touching the dead body of Jesus to prepare it for burial, Joseph defiled himself according to ceremonial law, forfeiting his ability to participate in the Sabbath preparations. He willingly traded religious cleanliness and social standing to honor his crucified Lord.
This kind of faith is costly. It is the kind of devotion that refuses to blend in with the culture for the sake of comfort or appearance. Joseph risked his reputation, his religious privilege, and likely his relationships within the council, all to identify with Jesus in His death.
This calls us to question how we pursue Jesus. Ask yourself this question – do I pursue Jesus with such fervor and resolution?
Counted As Loss
In Philippians 3:7–8, Paul echoes this kind of faith: “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”
Joseph of Arimathea, like Paul, shows us what it means to live with eternity in view. He wasn’t driven by fear or popularity, he was driven by a longing for God’s kingdom. He wasn’t trying to preserve his life, but to honor the One who had just laid His down.
Today, the pressure to conform to worldly values is just as real. Many remain silent rather than speak the truth of Christ. Some fear being labeled as intolerant, fanatical, or foolish. But true discipleship means dying to the approval of man in order to live fully for God.
Let’s ask ourselves these questions:
- Am I willing to be labeled badly by culture to honor Jesus?
- Do I forsake earthly titles and inclusion to stand with Christ?
- Am I looking for the kingdom of God, even if it costs me my status, comfort, or security?
Joseph may have buried Jesus in a tomb, but his actions proclaimed a living faith. In a moment of greatest loss, he revealed the greatest gain – a heart set on God’s kingdom. May we all have the courage of Jospeh of Arimathea – standing firm when others cave, seeking the kingdom of God above all else, and counting all as loss to unashamedly identify with Christ.
