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 Jews. 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.
Once a secret disciple for fear of the Jews, Joseph now boldly petitions Pilate for our Lord’s body. Some followers of Christ may in lesser trials be quite fearful yet in greater display much courage. This we find in Joseph who honored Christ’s corpse when Christ could seemingly do nothing for him. Circumstances oftentimes bring out character in unexpected ways. The other gospel writers tell us that Joseph was a wealthy, good and upright man who was waiting for the Kingdom of God. He was a prominent member of the Council but had not consented to their decision and actions regarding Jesus. Interestingly, Joseph of Arimathea is not mentioned in other places in the New Testament - only in the burial of our Lord is he made manifest – certainly there are some true Christians in this world that very little is known. He is named among the friends of Christ as he willingly and voluntarily did honor to our Lord Jesus in His death when all the Apostles had fled.
Out of love, Joseph took off his cloak of secrecy and came forth publically in humble service for our Lord - though dead. He did not hesitate to confess Christ as Friend even though at the time Romans and Jews alike had condemned Jesus as a malefactor and had put Him to death on the cross. His actions surely rendered him a marked man among the Jews – certainly ruining his character with the high priests and ruling council. Joseph’s pious actions stand in Scripture as a memorial to him. Surely it is the hope of the church that in every age there are hidden servants unknown to the world yet all the while known well unto God. Even in the Prophet Elijah’s time God had a reserved remnant of seven thousand who had not bowed their knee to Baal – seemingly unbeknownst to Elijah. We find in 1 Kings God telling Elijah:
18 “Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel--all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and all whose mouths have not kissed him.” 1 Kings 19:18 (NIV)
In our day of mega churches and audiences, it is simplistically refreshing to note that God isn’t as into the crowds that follow us as He is into our faithfulness to do His bidding - through His power - as crippled and cracked as we are. Joseph is memorialized in all four gospels as showing kindness to the Lord Jesus for no other reason than love. Isn’t it interesting that it was a “Joseph” who first touched Jesus in Bethlehem on His entry into this world and it was a “Joseph” who last touched our Lord on His exit from this dusty earth – how like God.
“Christianity is not a religion but a relationship of love expressed toward God and men.” Sherwood Eliot Wirt
Not too dissimilar to Joseph in his secrecy, we also see Nicodemus coming forth as a volunteer to aid in the burial of Jesus. They both demonstrated more reverence and love towards our Lord when dead than they had when He was alive. Nicodemus did not shrink to take part alongside Joseph in this good work. Had these men not come forth, our Lord’s body would have more than likely been buried in a common grave for criminals. That was not God’s intent. These unbelievers had done as much to His Son’s precious body as they were going to do. He therefore empowered and emboldened the once timid followers - at this perfect time – to demonstrate their compassion and mercy for the Lord. God always supplies the grace for us sufficient to meet the need He places in our paths – we can count on it. It is plain to see the strength and sacrifice of their love in their actions. Fruit demonstrated on a good tree. Christ’s mercy leads His followers to be like Him.
5 But if anyone obeys his word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:4-6 (NIV)
“By this they showed the value they had for his person and doctrine, and that it was not lessened by the reproach of the cross. They showed not only the charitable respect of committing his body to the earth, but the honorable respect shown to great men. This they might do, and yet believe and look for his resurrection. Since God intended honor for this body, they would honor it.” Matthew Henry
16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matt 5:16 (NIV)