Easter People: Josheph of Arimathea

EASTER PEOPLE – 3

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.   Luke 23:49

Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea… This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.   Luke 24:50-53

Excuse: I am going to look stupid

Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.   Mark 15:43

He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action;   Luke 23:50-51

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus,   John 19:38

Excuse: I don’t have enough money

There came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus… And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.   Matthew 27:57-60

Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.   John 19:39-40

Excuse: I don’t know what I am doing

The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.   Luke 23:55-56

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go anoint him.   Mark 16:1

Excuse: I don’t have enough time

And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,   Mark 15:42

Joseph went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.   Mark 15:43-45

Excuse: I can’t understand it

He was looking for the kingdom of God.   Luke 23:51

What has God been nudging you to do that you have been avoiding?

What excuse(s) have you been hiding behind?

What step of obedience do you need to take?