The Boldness of Joseph

Stepping up when it doesn't make reasonable sense.

It seems rare for a person of influence - wealth, institutional power, etc. - to do something different than the status quo. But Joseph of Arimathea was different.

Joseph was bold. He overcame any fear of his brethren, the religious leaders. He overcame any fear of the Roman government. He did what he thought he should. He overcame any social deviation he might have otherwise experienced from relating to and with Jesus’ dead body. He couldn’t bring him back to life - and it’s notable that in these moments, no one would expect Jesus to be raised.

What benefit was Joseph seeking in doing this? (It doesn’t seem that there would be any benefit.) Why did he do it? Was he an acquaintance of the family? Did Jesus impact his life? Had he seen Jesus heal someone or heard his teaching?

We don’t know the answers to these questions. While John tells us that he was a secret disciple, but we don’t know why.

The example we might take from Joseph was that he was someone who showed up in the worst of times and did what he could.

Matthew 26:57-61

That evening a man named Joseph came. He was a rich man from Arimathea who had become a disciple of Jesus. He came to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission to take it. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. After he rolled a large stone at the door of the tomb, he went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting in front of the tomb.

Prayer

God,

These days, it can feel like there’s no justice among people with significant influence. I like to imagine that this isn’t true - that such justice exists, just that it’s near impossible to discern amongst all the noise.

It’s very easy to sit here deploring it all. But remind me of the influence I myself do have and help me to use it well, in righteousness and justice, a bold love.

By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.