Luke 23:50-54 Amplified Bible
Jesus Is Buried
50 A man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), a good and honorable man 51 (he had not consented to the Council’s plan and action) a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for and expecting the kingdom of God; 52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And [after receiving permission] he took it down and wrapped it in a linen [burial] cloth and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had yet been laid. 54 It was the day of preparation [for the Sabbath], and the Sabbath was dawning.
Word of God for the Children of God
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Jesus’ burial was by no means a foregone conclusion, for two main reasons.
First, the crucifixion of criminals was often not the end of their humiliation; they were often barred from the honor of a proper burial.
Second, the release of a corpse depended solely upon a relative or a friend requesting permission to bury the body—and who was left to bury Jesus?
The disciples had fled for their lives, the crowd had dispersed, and the women were unprepared to make such a request.
It is into this moment of history that an entirely unexpected individual emerges authoritatively, suddenly and silently—a highly respected individual who “was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38).
Fear silenced Joseph of Arimathea up to this point. Jesus’ life and teaching had attracted him, brought him to saving faith, but his faith remained clandestine.
He went about his spiritual business in a secretive way—until the cross brought him out out of the shadows, into the open. And so, after too long hanging back in the shadows, Joseph walked, “went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”
The Gospel narrative describes Joseph’s careful handling of Jesus’ body as he “took it down” from the cross, “wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid” (Luke 23:53).
We read likewise of Rabbi Nicodemus, “who earlier had come to Jesus by night … bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes” to assist Joseph in the burial process (John 19:39).
Joseph and Nicodemus’ brief and singular appearance is also a clear reminder to us of God’s subtle providence at work at all times and in all places.
God prepared both Joseph and Nicodemus for this very moment. Both were highly fearful and secretive, but God used them for good, just as He does us.
Those first steps away from the darkness will always be the hardest to walk.
Both Joseph and Nicodemus had presumably missed many opportunities to stand up for their true King; they had presumably kept quiet so many times when they should have spoken out.
Yet it was these men whom God ensured would be present on this day for this important task. And both rose to complete it, risking everything—status, his reputation, his safety—to honor Jesus by ensuring that He had a proper burial.
You may find yourself identifying with either Nicodemus or Joseph: you have been living as a secret shadowed disciple, believing but afraid to let anyone in your neighborhood or workplace know about your faith.
If so, then today, pray, like both Joseph and Nicodemus to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive your fearfulness and enable you, like both both men, in the light of the cross, to take your stand boldly for Him in the love of Christ.
You may have missed too many moments in the past when you had the chance to stand for your King; but God is always ready to give you the task of honoring His Son, and in those future efforts you need not pass up the next opportunity.
In the name of God, the Father and God the Son and God the Holy Spirit,
Praying …
The Lord, the Psalmist’s Portion in Life and Salvation in Death.
A [a]Mikhtam of David.
16 Protect me, God, for I take refuge in You.
2 [b]I said to the Lord, “You are [c]my Lord;
I have nothing good besides You.”
3 As for the [d]saints who are on the earth,
[e]They are the majestic ones; all my delight is in them.
4 [f]The pains of those who have acquired another god will be multiplied;
I will not pour out their drink offerings of blood,
Nor will I take their names upon my lips.
5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot.
6 The measuring lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
Indeed, my inheritance is beautiful to me.
7 I will bless the Lord who has advised me;
Indeed, my [g]mind instructs me in the night.
8 I have set the Lord continually before me;
Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to [h]Sheol;
You will not [i]allow Your [j]Holy One to [k]undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the way of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.
Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end. Amen, amen.
Loving God, Living God, Loving Hope, Living Hope, Loving Living Life His Way! "Many things are possible for the person who has hope. Even more is possible for the person who has faith. And still more is possible for the person who knows how to love. But everything is possible for the person who practices all three virtues." - Brother Lawrence (1605-1691), Practicing the Presence of God (1692). 