JOSEPH WENT IN BOLDLY!

JOSEPH WENT IN BOLDLY!

Mark 15:42-46

42 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

44 And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

45 And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

46 And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

John 19:38

38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.

      Joseph of Arimathaea was said to be an “honorable counselor” which means he was a member of the Sanhedrin. In the midst of religious sham there was found one who took faith seriously. Joseph was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews. The death of his master changed him dramatically. He found boldness.

      I think that Joseph’s boldness was suicidal, not that he wished to die but that self preservation no longer mattered. Looking inside myself I think there may have been some fierceness in his actions – maybe even anger. As a ruling Jew he knew that the body of Jesus should hang throughout the Sabbath.

Deut 21:22-23

22 And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree:

23 His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance.

      That the Holy Spirit should say that he “craved” the body means that he did more than simply make a request. His request erupted from deep inside. It was something he must do regardless of the dangers involved. Therefore, he who was once a secret disciple was now bold.

Ps 118:5-6

5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.

6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?

Dear Lord, let me find boldness in serving and in witnessing. AMEN