JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA

(By Randy Blackaby and reworked by David Riggs)

                        
Intro.
   A. Joseph of Arimathea is a Bible character who is often          
      overlooked.
   B. He appears only once in the Bible history, but his deeds are
      recorded in all four gospels.
   C. If we look closely, we can ascertain important lessons from    
      what is said about him and his deeds.

I. WHAT IS REVEALED REGARDING JOSEPH?
   A. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews. Luke 23:51
      1. Arimathea is believed to be a small city in Judea, not far  
         from Jerusalem.
         a. Joseph had a rock-hewn tomb in the garden just outside
            of Jerusalem.
      2. He was a rich man. Matt. 27:57-61
         a. Joseph's deeds fulfilled Scripture. Isa. 53:9
      3. He was a council member. Mark 15:42-46
         a. Thus, he was part of the Sanhedrin, a group of 70 rulers
            of the Jews.
   B. Regarding his character, he was a good and just man. Luke
      23:50-56
      1. His goodness is seen in the fact that he did not consent to 
         the rest of the Sanhedrin in condemning Jesus. Luke 23:51
         a. This certainly distinguished him from the majority of the
            Sanhedrin.
         b. They turned out to be murderers and dishonest men who
            promoted perjury and lying.
      2. Also, his goodness is seen in giving Jesus a proper burial.
   C. Joseph was "waiting" for the kingdom of God. Mark 15:43; Luke
      23:51
      1. This indicates that he believed Jesus would usher in the
         kingdom.
      2. Thus, he looked to Jesus as the Messiah.
   D. He was a disciple, but a "secret" one. John 19:38
      1. There were other rulers who believed. John 12:42-43
         a. Joseph turns out to be far better than these.

II. JOSEPH'S BRIEF, BUT IMPORTANT, MOMENT IN HISTORY.
   A. He boldly requests permission from Pilate to bury Jesus' body.
      Mark 15:42-45
      1. Jesus hung on the cross from the third hour (9 a.m.) to the
         ninth hour (3 p.m.). Mark 15:25,33-34
         a. Thus, Jesus had died around 3 p.m. on Friday.
      2. The Sabbath began at 6 p.m. that Friday evening, according
         to Jewish time.
         a. The day before the Sabbath was called "The Day of
            Preparation." Mark 15:42
      3. It was contrary to the Law to allow a criminal to hang on a
         cross overnight. Deut. 21:22-23
         a. The Jews did not want the bodies of those crucified to
            remain on the Sabbath. John 19:31-37
   B. According to John, Joseph is joined by another ruler named
      Nicodemus. John 19:38-42
      1. See also John 3:1-5; John 7:32,45-53
         a. The Jews were mistaken when they said that no prophet
            would arise out of Galilee. Isa. 9:1-2
      2. Nicodemus brings spices for Jesus' burial.
      3. "These two men of scholarship and wealth, now in the hour
         of deepest shame for Jesus, openly avowed their love for
         Him, and confidence in Him. How they felt about His claims
         to be the Messiah, we do not know. But, they at least took
         up their cross when the apostles fled. They gave Jesus a
         dignified and honorable burial in Joseph's new tomb to the
         north of Jerusalem in the garden (John 19:41). (From Some
         Minor Characters in the New Testament, by A.T.
         Robertson, p. 11).
   C. When they took Jesus' body down to bury it, they would have
      become defiled. Num. 19:11-13
      1. There is no mention that they had servants doing the work.
      2. They would not be able to fully participate in Sabbath the
         next day.
      3. At this time, they saw a greater need in burying the body of
         Jesus.

III. LESSONS FROM JOSEPH.
   A. Let us remember the events that occurred on the day which
      caused Joseph and Nicodemus to act. Luke 23:26-38
      1. When we carefully consider what Jesus did for us, it        
         instills a spirit of boldness within us.
   B. Joseph acted contrary to the other disciples, especially Peter.
      1. Peter spoke out boldly, but he became afraid. Matt. 26:31-35
      2. Joseph was a secret disciple, but he became bold.
   C. Joseph did not allow fear to cause him to join in with Jesus'
      enemies.
      1. The cross has the power to overcome the world's pressures.
   D. No doubt, there are many "secret" disciples today.
      1. Many things make people fearful of openly confessing Jesus;
         e.g.,
         a. Pressures from family and friends.
         b. Pier pressures from co-workers and classmates.
         c. Fear, and lack of courage.
         d. Weak faith.
      2. They need to take courage from Joseph's example.
   E. Remember, it was Jesus, by what He taught and did, who gave
      Joseph courage.
      1. Jesus urges open confession. Matt. 10:32-33

Concl.
   A. We admire the courage of Joseph and Nicodemus. 
   B. Several years ago, Premier Khrushchev was speaking before the
      Supreme Soviet and was severely critical of the late Premier
      Stalin. While he was speaking, someone from the audience sent
      up a note: "What were you doing when Stalin committed all these
      atrocities?" Khrushchev shouted, "Who sent up that note?" Not a
      person stirred. "I'll give him one minute to stand up!" The
      seconds ticked off. Still no one moved. "All right, I'll tell  
      you what I was doing. I was doing exactly what the writer of   
      this note was doing--exactly nothing! I was afraid to be       
      counted!" (From Illustrations Unlimited, by James S. Hewett, p.
      128) 
      1. Let us stand up and be counted for the Lord. 
   C. How about you? Are you one of those "secret" disciples?
      1. We encourage you to be bold in the Lord.
      2. If you haven't already, we encourage you to boldly confess
         the name of Christ?