Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. (NIV)

Joseph’s action was one of courage and generosity. How brave he was to take a stand at the council, and to ask for the body of Jesus, when there was such tension and menace in the air. He is immortalised in this little paragraph (see also Mk.15:43 and Matt.27:57). Although he had been a secret disciple, out of fear of the Jews, he stepped forward at the moment that was arguably the most dangerous.

Here was one man making a difference. (Although we must bear in mind that John’s gospel shows Joseph and Nicodemus working together John 19:38).

We might say Jesus only ‘loaned’ Joseph’s tomb. It was to be ever such a short stay. Presumably Joseph got it back (rather like Joseph’s brothers getting their silver back in their sacks). We cannot outgive God.

‘God has His agents everywhere. They are not known to us, but are well known to Him, and one word from Him will bring them and their resources to His help. How many are unsuspected lovers of His Kingdom! Who would have thought that Joseph was waiting for the kingdom of God, or that he would have identified its advent with the death on the cross!’ F.B.Meyer

PRAYER: Lord, please forgive me for my cowardly fear. Enable me to always identify with you and your Cross.