The Gospel’s record very little about this day:

“. . .The Chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate” and asked that the tomb of Jesus be secured to prevent His disciples from stealing the body and telling “the people that he has been raised from the dead” (Matthew 29:62-66).  A brief but very important account!

“When the Sabbath was over…” (Mark 16:1).

“. . .they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).

John says only, “Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there”; but said nothing about the Sabbath (John19:42).

Each Gospel account refers to a man named Joseph of Arimathea

Since the Gospels record very little about the day before Jesus’ Resurrection, this morning I decided to read each Gospel account relating to the burial of Jesus, on “the Jewish day of Preparation” – the day before the Sabbath beginning at sundown after Jesus’ crucifixion.  Each account refers to a man named Joseph of Arimathea.  Arimathea was a town about 5 miles North of Jerusalem.  Joseph was described briefly in the Scriptures as: “a rich man. . . who had himself become a disciple of Jesus” (Matthew 27:57); “. . .a prominent member of the Council. . .” (Mark 15:43); “. . .a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action” (Luke 23:50); “. . . a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews (John 19:38).

“Secretly”.  I thought about that statement. 

Our Pastor, at Good Friday services, mentioned it as well.  What brought Joseph to the point of revealing his belief in Jesus?  This was most likely at great risk to his standing in the Council as well as the community.  We are not told.  The Scriptures say he apparently had access to Pilate; not something an ordinary Jew would have, and requested access to Jesus’ body for burial in his own, private, “new tomb in which no one had ever been laid”.

I thought about what it “physically” meant to have access to Jesus’ body.  Gathering materials to carry Jesus’ body.  Walking to Golgotha.  Climbing up on the cross, removing the spikes, lowering Jesus’ body, which was still covered in fresh blood, carrying the body to the tomb, and preparing the body with “spices” and “stipes of linen”.  John records that the “mixture of myrrh and aloes” weighed “about 75 pounds.”  This was no easy task!  All done openly in the view of others and at great risk.  What gave Joseph the courage to reveal his belief? 

Desperation is necessary to be truly amazed at the Grace of God.

As I read my Bible this morning, I came across a handwritten note from many years ago.  It said, “Desperation is necessary to be truly amazed at the Grace of God. We must see God’s Grace within the context of our brokenness.”  My notation referred to Luke 22: 62 and Matthew 26:75, referring to Peter after he denied Jesus three times – “And he went outside and wept bitterly.”  Peter was desperate!  But it was that moment of brokenness that ultimately revealed to Peter God’s Grace and forgiveness.

I looked up the definition of desperation in the Cambridge Dictionary: the feeling that you have when you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to take risks in order to change it.

Peter, ultimately risked everything, which later cost him his earthly life, but secured his eternal life.  Would he have embraced that risk without going through the desperation experience first?

For Joseph, up to the point of Jesus’ crucifixion, his secret discipleship of Jesus was no different than Peter’s denial of Jesus.  Peter’s weakness and brokenness were both revealed in a moment of desperation, which resulted in a sacrificial obedience to Jesus.  Joseph’s weakness (fear of the Jews) was revealed in a moment of desperation as a witness to the crucifixion of Jesus, which resulted in courage and sacrificial obedience to Jesus.  Peter’s obedience resulted in the sacrifice of his earthly life.  We are not told what Joseph sacrificed, but there are legends about him doing great things for Christ.  His actions that day also fulfilled prophecy – Psalm 16:10.

I am no different than Peter or Joseph, relative to weakness and brokenness.   There have been many times that I prefer to not reveal my belief in Jesus.  And, in retrospect, I see many periods of desperation in my life, though not enjoyable to go through, have revealed areas of weakness and brokenness in my character, which have resulted in obedience to Jesus and amazement of the Grace of God.  He loves me, even in my brokenness, and promises, through my belief in Jesus, to walk alongside me in this life and the life after.

As we end this week of anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, may we be amazed that God would offer His undeserved favor (Grace) to us through His Son Jesus.

Be blessed.  Be amazed; you are loved!

Mike