Who doing the work for Christ that is meant for you?
In Matthew 27 we read these words:
"When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.” (NRSV)
By itself asking for Jesus’ body so that he might burry it seems like a sacrificial act of discipleship for Joseph. Remember this man, this Jesus of Nazareth, was just crucified based on accusations of sedition and blasphemy against God and society. Both the Roman leaders and the Hebrew authorities wanted to silence him for their own reasons. He was a threat to the status quo. The gathered crowd bayed for his blood when days earlier they celebrated his entrance into Jerusalem by laying their cloaks and palms down before the colt on which he rode.
Into this space, Joseph of Arimathea serves God in an unexpected way. Joseph would have been a wealthy man in society—how else would he have afforded a familial burial tomb in a lush garden? From tradition we also know that Joseph was a Pharisees; a teacher of the law. Probably he was standing near the cross of Jesus when he gave up his spirit and may have been present at Jesus’ show trial witnessing the suffering of the Messiah. Like his friend Nicodemus, Joseph risked a great deal in following the teachings of Jesus. Social pressures and expectation that comes as a religious leader in that time was great. Yet, Joseph does something extraordinary. . . something that someone was supposed to do and we cannot forget this lesson.
In the book, Power and Passion: Six Characters in Search of Resurrection, Samuel Wells writes these words:
"He [Joseph] becomes the disciple who takes the place of Peter, James, and the rest. John the Baptist’s disciples were on hand to take his body away, but Jesus’ body requires a new figure, emerging from the shadows. In burying Jesus, Joseph does what the rich young man in Matthew 19:22 fails to do: he puts his life at risk and gives to the poor."
As I read those words I have to say that I had not thought of the story from this angle. . . He takes the place of Peter. Think of that for just a moment. Joseph does what Peter, the Rock upon which the church would be built, was called to do. The burial of Jesus was Peter and the disciple’s task, and yet, they ran from it. They hid in fear behind a locked door. The pressure of following Jesus drove them away—all except John the Beloved who is entrusted the care of Jesus’ mother at the time of his death. The cherished followers of Jesus were not on hand to care for their teacher one last time. . . Joseph does the work of a disciple. I don't suspect that when Jesus was arrested Joseph thought he would be needed in this way by God. But he was. And so are we.
Who is doing the work for Christ that is meant for you?
This was necessary work. Sure it would be painful. There would be tears as the prayers were said and the body was wrapped and anointed with spices. However, it would also be a final act of caring. There is always another aspect of service and caring that calls to us because God needs your hands. I hope that when the chance is presented before you to become a minister of care in your community that you will remember this story, and as you remember it, you notice how you ability to care is needed.
Blessings
Rev. Derek
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