Matthew 27:57-60

As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. 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.

We know very little about Joseph of Arimathea. The Gospel of Mark tells us that he was an honoured member of the high council of the Jews, and that he was waiting for the kingdom of God to come. The Gospel of Luke comments that he was a good and righteous man, and the Gospel of John informs us that he was a secret disciple of Jesus because he feared the Jewish leaders. That’s all we know. However, this brief account of him going to Pilate asking for the body of Jesus reveals that he was a man of exceptional courage. This initiative could easily have exposed him to enormous risk both from the Romans and the Jews, but he knew it was the right thing to do and went ahead.

It is never easy to be courageous. The pressure is always upon us to fit in with our society. We don’t like to surprise the people around us or to be thought odd or unusual. We certainly don’t like to expose ourselves to danger and risk. Joseph’s brave action shows the reality of his devotion to Jesus, and it is not surprising that he has been venerated over the centuries and that many legends grew up around him. Indeed, one of the most famous is that in the year 61 AD he was sent to England to preach the Gospel and came to Glastonbury in Somerset.

It is very unlikely that any of the legends about Joseph have any historical basis, but it is good for us to recognise his courage and celebrate his godly example. When we are next tempted to say nothing about our faith in case people don’t appreciate it, or to say nothing about an injustice at work, we would do well to remember the courageous example of Joseph of Arimathea.

Question

In what situation do you need to be courageous at the moment?

Prayer

Lord God, I thank you for the example of Joseph. Help me to stand up boldly for you however unpopular it makes me. Amen