Showing Up When It Seemingly Doesn't Matter

Yet it does: A quiet act of courage, even when hope seemed lost.

I don’t know why I love Joseph of Arimathea so much. Maybe it’s this: he had no clue Jesus would rise from the dead. The disciples who talked such a big game in terms of sticking with Jesus are nowhere to be found. But Joseph showed up. And who Joseph was matters: a person of prominence, of notoriety among the religious leaders. As much as the gospels tend to characterize the religious leaders as an exhaustive group who saw to Jesus’ demise, apparently there were at least a couple who felt something otherwise.

Joseph saw to a proper burial for this “radical.” Surely it was at some kind of personal risk, if nothing else, his reputation. Why did Joseph do this? There’s just something about that to me.

Mark 15:42-47

Since it was late in the afternoon on Preparation Day, just before the Sabbath, Joseph from Arimathea dared to approach Pilate and ask for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was a prominent council member who also eagerly anticipated the coming of God’s kingdom.) Pilate wondered if Jesus was already dead. He called the centurion and asked him whether Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that Jesus was dead, Pilate gave the dead body to Joseph. He bought a linen cloth, took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped him in the cloth, and laid him in a tomb that had been carved out of rock. He rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was buried.

Psalm 112:4-9

They shine in the dark for others who do right. They are merciful, compassionate, and righteous. Those who lend generously are good people—as are those who conduct their affairs with justice. Yes, these sorts of people will never be shaken; the righteous will be remembered forever! They won’t be frightened at bad news. Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are firm; they aren’t afraid. In the end, they will witness their enemies’ defeat. They give freely to those in need. Their righteousness stands forever. Their strength increases gloriously.

Prayer

God,

Oh, Lord…for people of privilege to do the right thing. I know I’m a person of privilege, so I guess I’m praying for myself, too. But for those with even more power, more resources. Those who would otherwise be tempted to retain all they’ve built up for themselves…Lord, hear my prayer.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.