He Had No Idea
Matthew 27:57-60 NLT
57 As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, 58 went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. 59 Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 60 He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.
These four verses are about a man named Joseph. He was a wealthy man from the region of Arimathea who had been a follower of Jesus. He went and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. But there is more to the story.
Mark tells us, in the fifteenth chapter of his gospel, that Joseph was not only a wealthy man, he was a prominent member of the Jewish council. And that Joseph took courage, one translation said he took a risk, and asked for the body of Jesus. The courage required with taking this risk is that Joseph was a man who was respected in Jewish leadership. This was the leadership involved in sending Jesus to the cross. Joseph was obviously not in agreement with the decree to kill Jesus because he was a follower of Jesus. But it appears that Josephwas a secret follower. The fact that he was able to have access to Pilate indicates Joseph’s status in Israel. But asking for the body and burying Jesus in his own tomb would mark him as one who believed in Jesus. Other leaders were mocking Jesus, but Joseph chose to honor Him with a tomb.
And not just any tomb. Joseph buried Jesus in his own tomb. The rich would commission tombs to be carved out of solid rock. That venture was very laborious, seeing that there were no power tools. And tombs carved out of rock were only for the rich; the common people could not afford this luxury. By burying Jesus in the tomb Joseph had built for himself, he was honoring Jesus in a big way. He had no idea that Jesus would only borrow the tomb for a short period and that Joseph would get it back. The fact that Joseph is mentioned by name indicatesthat what he did was honorable and courageous in the sight of God.
We know the rest of the story. But Joseph only knew that he was honoring Jesus the best way he knew how. Imagine his delight when he discovered that Jesus was alive. More than simply getting his tomb back, Joseph got Jesus back and the new life that Jesus offered through faith in His resurrection. I believe we’ll see Joseph again in heaven.
Application
The Scriptures give honor where honor is due. Mary with her alabaster box of perfume. Joseph, with his gift of a luxury tomb. And we can still show honor to the Lord with our obedience, our service, our giving; these things matter to heaven and should matter to us. Showing honor to the Lord with our lives is something that is always of value. And always keep in mind that as we honor Him, He honors us.
Prayer
Lord, may I honor You with my life. Show me where I can bless You and make a difference in the lives of those whom You love.