40There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. 42When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, 43Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. 45When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. 46Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. (Mark 15:40-47, NRSV)
Joseph was a respected member of the Jewish High Council and yet was there to offer his grave and to help take the body of Jesus off the cross. This would mean that he would not be able to participate in Sabbath rituals for having been in contact with a dead body. But yet he did it. He did it knowing it went against what most on the council thought. We do not know why he did it, but he did.
Would you have done it?
Risk your place in society?
Do something for someone who can no longer do anything for you?
Would you risk your life for Jesus?
Jesus came to show us how God had intended for us to live. He came showing love to all and forgiveness and He was killed for it. Do you stand with Jesus?
Are you ready to lay Him in the tomb?
aSacredRebel 