Mark 15:42-47
The Burial of Jesus
42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.
The story of Jesus burial by Joseph of Arimathea, is written about in all four gospels...Joseph was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin Council...So there must have been some on the Council, who saw the wisdom of Jesus...Joseph was touched by Jesus...He went boldly to Pilate and ask for Jesus' body, so he could bury Him...Joseph of Arimathea would donate his own tomb for the burial of Jesus...Joseph bought linen cloth and took down His body and wrapped His body in this linen, he just bought and placed it in a tomb that was cut out by rock...Mary Magdalene and Mary the Mother of Joseph saw where Jesus was laid...
Joseph was probably a wealthy man who donated his tomb to Jesus...He openly ask Pilate for Jesus body, which would have taken a lot of courage...This probably was controversial with the other Sanhedrin members, who had Jesus put to death...Evidently, since Joseph is not mentioned, as a follower of Jesus in all the early stories in the four gospels, is in fact, a follower of Jesus...With the death of Jesus, Joseph is admitting, by donating his tomb for Jesus' burial, that he believes in some of the things that Jesus was teaching...Perhaps, since he knew Jesus was dead before Pilate did, was at the cross watching the crucifixion...Maybe Jesus' death on the cross had changed Joseph...Maybe the events or parts of what happened during the arrest, trial, and crucifixion had moved him to identify know with Jesus...Maybe he saw or felt something on the cross and the surrounding events that touched him deeply...
Though not mentioned here, Joseph works with Nicodemus to prepare Jesus' body for the tomb (John 19:38-42)...Joseph and Nicodemus would use the linen that Joseph brought and the myrrhs and aloes that Nicodemus brought (John 19:39) and put Jesus body in the man-made cave that Joseph had prepared...This is interesting, because one does not think that Joseph of Arimathea is a family member of Jesus...Normally, the family would take a deceased body and bury it...We might conclude that since Mary and Judas and James, the Mother and brothers of Jesus, were close to Jesus, they might have taken the body...They may have been to bereaved...Or maybe they did not know the Roman officials protocol and just allowed things to happen...Or maybe they did not have the money to pay and prepare for a funeral...They did no doubt, knew He was going to die on the cross...He predicted His death, and told others of His upcoming death several times...
Joseph was moved by Jesus and wanted to acknowledge Him...Joseph, no doubt, would have talked to Nicodemus and heard about the teachings on being reborn (John 3:1-21)...Jesus may have taught Nicodemus more things, and he would have shared those things with Joseph...Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus believed, what they heard from Jesus...They were followers in the end...I think some followers of Jesus can relate to Joseph of Arimathea...Accepting Jesus may cause some controversy with others...Is there a perfect time to tell a friend about Jesus, and that you follow and believe in His teachings?...Is there a right time to tell a co-worker that you believe in Him?...Joseph waited until Jesus died, and acknowledged Him...Joseph did not know at that time He would rise...But He did rise...
Two thousand years ago, a Man stood up and told everyone that He was Truth...Joseph of Arimathea learned this and acknowledged this Truth...