Mark 15:42-47 (NIV2011)
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.
1 Corinthians 12:27 (NIV2011)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.
PRAYER
INTRO
Once again, I want to take some time to look at how the other three Gospel writers tell this story:
Matthew 27:57-60 (NIV2011)
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.
59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.
Luke 23:50-54 (NIV2011)
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man,
51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God.
52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.
53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
John 19:38-42 (NIV2011)
38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.
39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
This story now takes us to just a few moments after Jesus has died. The issue NOW was this, “what is to be done with Jesus’ body?”
Romans typically did not bury crucifixion victims; part of the degradation of the penalty
If the Romans DID bury Jesus’ body, they would have put him in the graveyard of a common criminal
Often family members would have to buy the body off of the cross
So, a rich man named Joseph stepped up to care for the body of Jesus.
I, again, want to remind you that WE are the body of Christ:
Romans 12:5 (NIV2011)
so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.
Ephesians 3:6 (NIV2011)
This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 5:23 (NIV2011)
…Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
Colossians 1:17-18 (NIV2011)
17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church…
Colossians 1:24 (NIV2011)
Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.
So the entire New Testament places a GREAT deal of importance on the Church…going as far as comparing it to the body of Christ Himself.
With that in mind, I find some amazing parallels of Joseph to all of us as the Lord has entrusted us to care for His body…the church
Joseph displayed some incredible things for the body of Jesus. I believe they are the same things that WE should display…
1. His CHARACTER
Mark 15:43 (NIV2011)
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.
Matthew 27:57 (NIV2011)
As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus.
Luke 23:50 (NIV2011)
Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man,
I am impressed that we are told about who Jospeh was before we are told about what he did
* He was a good & upright man
* Not part of decision to kill Jesus; not known if he abstained or was absent
* Became a disciple of Jesus
We desperately need to be known as a group of people of great character…more than great programs, music, or services.
Is the life you are living worth Christ dying?
2. His COURAGE
Mark 15:43 (NIV2011)
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.
Joseph had the courage to make a very bold request of Pilate
If the body of a crucifixion victim was to be asked for, it was often done by the family. That’s what makes this particular request rather bold.
The body of Christ is in need of people who will pray some bold requests to God
Hebrews 4:16 (KJV)
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Would you be willing to pray some bold, maybe even ‘crazy’ prayers, on behalf of your church?
Let me give you some examples of bold prayers we can pray:
“Lord, bring those who really need You to our church.”
- the answer to this prayer may be different than what you expect
“Lord, pour out Your Spirit in our church.”
- He just may do that…and do things you have never seen before
“Lord, change us to make us more like You.”
- If you don’t like to change, then this is a very uncomfortable prayer to pray
“Lord, give us unity.”
- That means you have to be willing to reconcile and forgive
3. His COMPASSION
Being a part of the body of Christ means that were are called to be people who give.
Take a look at what Joseph was willing to give…
* His resources — he gave of his money and gave his own, unused tomb
That he brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, “about seventy-five pounds,” would indicate that Nicodemus, as well as Joseph, was a man of considerable means.
Myrrh was a fragrant resin, and aloe the aromatic, quick-drying sap of a tree. In powdered form they were mixed and sprinkled in the sheets that wound the corpse. The purpose of the spices was to counteract the unpleasant odor of the decomposing body.
* His reputation
Joseph did this at great risk since doing so identified him with Jesus while he was still a part of the Sanhedrin
* His retreat
Note that Joseph and Nicodemus were secret disciples until all of Jesus’ disciples deserted Him
What are you willing to give…TO SACRIFICE…for the body of Christ?
Keep this in mind…Joseph had NO IDEA how his gift would eventually be used!
Your gift or sacrifice may bring about amazing spiritual results you never even expected.
4. His COMMITMENT — hard work
Mark 15:46 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.
John 19:38-42 (NIV2011)
38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.
39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
40 Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
Taking down the body would not have been an easy or a clean task
In fact, with Joseph being such a rich man, he probably had servants to help him with this task
Regardless, this would not have been a pleasant or a simple job.
Are you willing to do something unglamorous for the body of Christ?
This act of hard work led to the most monumental moment in history! Your willingness to do something may have an impact you can only dream of.
CONCLUSION
What will you do with the body of Christ?
* Will you demonstrate Christ-like character?
* Will you courageously pray for your church?
* Will you compassionately give of your time, talent and treasure?
* Will you be willing to commit to hard work?
