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Holy Saturday, April 11, 2009
John 19:38-42
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus and he was determined to show his respect and love by honoring the cultural traditions. To care for the body of someone we love, in life and in death, is a very intimate thing. In the ancient world there was no such thing as embalming a body to preserve it after a death occurred. The custom of wrapping a body in linen strips that had been dipped in spices certainly addressed issues of discoloration and odor that would naturally occur.
Joseph took a huge chance of being labeled as a follower of Christ by asking Pilate for the body of his beloved Jesus. Surely he had seen what the Roman authorities had done to him, the humiliation, the taunting, the torture and the horrible asphyxiation as he hung on the cross. Yet his love and commitment to Christ, whom he had followed in secret, brought him not the other disciples, the ones who had openly followed Jesus, to Pilate.
Joseph was a man of courage; daring to proclaim his faith when everything, even his life, was at stake. Fair weather friends are many but those who are willing to take risks for us, these are a precious few. The disciples were happy to travel the countryside with Jesus as he healed and preached from town to town. And yet, Joseph, not present for the exciting and uplifting events shows up to make sure that Jesus is treated respectfully. May we recognize the opportunity to step out in faith, doing the right thing, no matter what the cost. rsy
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