Matthew 27:57 – 60

“As evening approached, there cane a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus…Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean linen cloth and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock.”

One might get the impression that all the Judeans were against Jesus.  Matthew, bless him, introduces us to a new person in the story, Joseph from Aramathea, a small village near Jerusalem. He was wealthy, a Judean, a member of the Jewish Council and, above all, a disciple of Jesus Christ.  This is the first we hear of him. He was also a friend of Nicodemus, a fellow Council member whom we recall came to Jesus by night.  John 3 and 19.

Joseph asked Pilate for the dead body of Jesus, now removed from the cross.  Pilate, who had enough of the whole complicated business acceded to his request.  This brings two Judeans into the narrative, Joseph and Nicodemus.  The Galileans were not involved in Jesus’ burial at all. The Judeans were.

Joseph was wealthy enough to have a tomb carved in Jerusalem rock, obviously for his own burial.  The sun was setting, night was falling so the body of Jesus was laid in that new tomb.  Nicodemus, a friend of Joseph and himself a believer, brought seventy five pounds of spices to be placed around the body. So two prominent Judeans, Joseph and Nicodemus played a crucial role in the story of our redemption. They did their part by offering a tomb for his body and by providing spices for his burial.

I am moved when I see these two Judean men risk all because of their love for the Galilean, Jesus.  I see their determination as they have Jesus carried to the tomb and their devotion as they tucked the spices around his wounded body, now dead and still. I find it quite amazing that in the Jewish Council that sought to have Jesus killed were these two men, now paying their final tribute to Jesus of Nazareth.

I should not be surprised to find those who love Jesus Christ in unexpected places!  They are also caught up in God’s saving plans. Praise God for rich Joseph and for the highly educated Nicodemus.