were you there? Joseph of arimithea

He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth” Isaiah 53:9, NIV

Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and upright man, plays a significant role in the burial of Jesus, despite being part of the same religious group that sought his crucifixion. Joseph, secretly a follower of Jesus, stepped forward to claim Jesus’ body, defying the risks to his reputation and standing. His courage to publicly identify with Jesus at that moment marked a powerful shift. Alongside Nicodemus, the Pharisee who had previously visited Jesus at night to discuss God’s Kingdom, Joseph took responsibility for Jesus' burial. They wrapped the body in strips of linen and applied a mixture of myrrh and aloe. However, since it was the Day of Preparation - the day before the Jewish Sabbath - and late in the day, Joseph hurriedly placed Jesus in his own tomb. This fulfilled the prophecy from Isaiah and further affirmed Jesus as the Messiah.

The actions of Joseph and Nicodemus remind us that following Jesus often requires us to step out of the shadows and take a stand, even when the cost is great.

Let’s pray
Lord, give me the courage to stand for you, even when it’s difficult. Help me to live my faith openly and work it out in tangible ways for the expansion of your kingdom and to the benefit of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.