The Burial of Christ (Matthew 27:51-61)

Jesus always describes discipleship in this way, as an “either/or” proposition.

• Either we follow Jesus, or we chase after the world.
• Either we seek to please Jesus, or we seek the approval of men.
• Either we serve God, or we serve wealth…you cannot serve both.

Joseph and Nicodemus were good men – righteous men even – but until this moment, they were trying to have both. They wanted to remain on the Sanhedrin Counsel and with the approval of the other Pharisees and Sadducees…At the same time, they wanted credit for following a Messiah that the rest of the Counsel despised and wanted to kill. But there was literally no way they could have both…one allegiance would always win out over the other.

This is the challenge facing every disciple of Jesus…we are called out of the world by our faith, and yet we remain in the world for a time. Jesus said we must be willing to “lose” this world so we can serve the interests of the next, and that means making different decisions, living differently, and having kingdom priorities, not worldly priorities, it means putting Christ first, His Word and His local Church first, over the priorities of the world and entertainment and rest.

Following Jesus may mean losing a few friends, losing promotions, or your job…it may even mean losing your life. That is the dilemma Jesus places in front of all His disciples…which is why Jesus asked us to count the cost of following Him.

Matthew tells us Joseph was a rich man, so we would understand the great sacrifice he was making by stepping forward. He would likely lose his position on the council, his place in society, the respect of his peers, and his means of support.

So, Joseph does, finally publicly side with Jesus, and as He does, he fulfills Scripture. Isaiah 53:9 says the Messiah dies among criminals and He is buried in a rich man’s tomb.