Mark 15:42-47

Passage

It was the day of preparation when Jesus died, meaning that whatever happened to Jesus had to be done quickly because a Sabbath was about to begin.  Joseph of Arimathea – who was a member of the Sanhedrin as well as one who was looking to follow Jesus – was filled with courage and he went to Pilate to ask for the body.  Pilate was surprised that He would have died so quickly.  Pilate summoned the centurion to see if Jesus was already dead.  When the centurion confirmed Jesus’ death, Pilate gave the body to Joseph of Arimathea to dispose of as he wished.  Joseph brought a linen shroud to the cross.  Joseph took Jesus down from the cross and wrapped him in the shroud.  He laid Him in a tomb that had been hewn from out of the rock.  He rolled a stone over the entrance that had been cut into the rock.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were there to see where the body had been laid.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Typically, when a criminal was proven dead from crucifixion the Romans would pull the body down from the cross as disgracefully leave the body in a heap at the foot of the cross for the vultures to pick at and dispose.  It was the ultimate sign of humiliation for a criminal.  It would drive home the point to those still living that they didn’t want to cross the Roman governor in the land.  Joseph of Arimathea (and according to John’s Gospel, Nicodemus, too) likely knew this.  Therefore, a tomb was prepared with spices and linen.  Jesus would not lie in a heap for the vultures to pick apart.  Joseph acted quickly in asking for the body in order that he could prepare the body, wrap the body, and place it in the tomb.  All of these things would help prove the resurrection since the grave clothes would be left behind.

How does Joseph of Arimathea – a man wealthy enough to buy a tomb and several dozen pounds of spices for burial – demonstrate a servant’s attitude in this passage?  How does this story help indicate that Jesus embraced all people regardless of wealth and status?  How does this point go back to the point about counter-culturalism that was spoken of yesterday?

Second Thought:

Joseph also had to act quickly because by the time Jesus died he had three hours until the Sabbath began.  Of course, no work could be done on the Sabbath.  Jesus’ body had to be claimed, prepared, and laid in the tomb in three hours.  There was a sense of urgency because of the Law.  Jesus had come to fulfill the Law; nothing would serve the high priests more than having the Law being broken in His death and burial.  Being members of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were acutely prepared for this reality.  They understood the Law and its demands.  They were incredibly brilliant choices for Jesus’ mortician and caretaker.

How does this fact help us see God’s incredible grasp of reality and ultimate authority over what happens?  Are you amazed by how such a key role in the sacrifice of Jesus could be played by two figures that had such little roles in the overall story?  Why might it have been necessary for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus to have such little roles prior to the death and resurrection of Jesus?

Third Thought:

Then there were the witnesses.  The centurion who declared that Jesus was the Son of God witnessed to Pilate that Jesus had in fact died.  The Romans would not make a mistake on whether a victim of crucifixion was truly dead or not.  Mary Magdalene and a few other women saw where Joseph and Nicodemus put the body.  This way, they could be witnesses to the coming resurrection of Jesus because they could validate that they went to the correct tomb.  God was putting people in place to assure that truth was not missed.  Again, notice how little the players in the story are.  The centurion only appears in this story.  The women were women, a people that most societies throughout history have an easier time overlooking.  We don’t see the big name disciples at this moment.  God will use them in another way.  Proof of the atonement and grace that God provided for us comes from the witness of largely unknowns in the Gospel story.  God does not see status; He simply sees an obedient heart.

Why was it necessary to have witnesses who could attest to the process from crucifixion to resurrection?  How does it make you feel inside to know that God does not use status as the judge of who He can use in His kingdom?

Passage for Tomorrow: Mark 16:1-4