The Bible describes Joseph as “a wealthy man from Arimathea, who had himself grow to be a disciple of Jesus”. Though a outstanding member of the Jewish council (the Sanhedrin), he boldly confirmed his allegiance to Jesus when many others have been afraid to.
Within the Bible just a few folks performed vital roles within the lifetime of Jesus Christ. Joseph of Arimathea is one among them. His identify is in style amongst many Christians due to the function he performed. Whereas he wasn’t one of many twelve apostles, his single, brave act on the most tragic second of Jesus’ life secured his place in historical past. This man wasn’t a stranger to Jesus. We are able to see from the scriptures that he’s the key disciple who stepped out of the concern of darkness to make sure the Messiah acquired a correct burial.
I feel probably the most related query right here is who this man was and why his actions are so vital to the Christian religion.
On this publish, I’ll share with you the biblical account, historic significance, and legendary motion surrounding this excellent particular person.
The Biblical Account of Joseph of Arimathea
Each Christian could have heard his identify. I keep in mind how Sunday faculty children simply get it proper when requested about who took Jesus’ physique to bury in his tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea seems in all 4 Gospels for the time being of Jesus’ burial, and the authors give us an in depth image of his character and standing. Let’s discover the theme under:
• A Rich Man: Matthew identifies Joseph as a wealthy man, a element that reveals his actions to the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which acknowledged the Messiah can be “with the wealthy in his demise”.
This prophecy got here into achievement when this man performed that function precisely as prophesied. I do consider God selected him to play that essential function as a result of He’s Omniscient.
• A Member of the Sanhedrin: The Sanhedrin is notoriously identified for its hate and opposition in opposition to Christ’s teachings. Each Mark and Luke determine this man in query as a revered member of the Council, or the Sanhedrin.
This group of individuals is the very Jewish ruling physique that had condemned Jesus to demise. Nevertheless, Luke is cautious to notice that Joseph had not consented to their choice and motion. So his coronary heart was removed from their depraved rulings.
• A Secret Disciple: After we learn the e-book of Matthew and John, additionally they explicitly name Joseph a disciple of Jesus. John provides that he was secret “for concern of the Jews”.
He was, like Nicodemus who assisted him, a believer who stored his religion hidden from his friends. At that essential second —it wasn’t straightforward to indicate up as a disciple of Jesus. In order that concern was to guard himself from excommunication or any of their hardship therapy as punishment.
Desk About his character as described within the Gospels:
His Essential Function within the Burial of Jesus
After Jesus’ demise on the cross, Joseph of Arimathea took a critical threat. He “went boldly to Pilate and requested for the physique of Jesus”. Many people consider it was the Holy Spirit who gave him that boldness.
This was a brave transfer, as associating with a condemned legal may have price him his standing, wealth, and even his life. Glory be to God for utilizing this man to manage the occasions as already prophesied. This exhibits that no man or group of individuals in their very own knowledge can beat God’s plan.
Pilate granted his request, and Joseph, with the assistance of Nicodemus, took Jesus’ physique down from the cross. The Bible additional stated that Nicodemus even purchased high quality and costly spices for use for Christ’s burial.
So that they ready it for burial in keeping with Jewish customized, wrapping it in a clear linen shroud with a combination of myrrh and aloes.
In response to the Bible, Joseph then laid the physique in his personal new tomb, which had been minimize out of rock, and rolled a big stone in opposition to the doorway. At that on the spot prophecy from Isaiah received fulfilled.
This act of devotion ensured that Jesus’ physique was not disposed of as a standard legal’s would have been.It was left down into a standard grave. It additionally set the stage for the resurrection, because the empty tomb could possibly be clearly recognized and witnessed.
Why Joseph of Arimathea Issues to the Easter Story
Joseph’s actions are way over a historic report so far as Easter is anxious; they’re theologically vital.
• Achievement of Prophecy:
His function straight fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which predicted that the struggling servant can be “with the wealthy in his demise”. So by inserting Jesus in his personal unused, wealthy man’s tomb, Joseph of Arimathea grew to become an instrument in confirming Jesus because the Messiah. God in His personal knowledge allowed these occasions to unfold to verify His phrase.
• Preservation of the Physique:
By preserving Jesus’ physique from desecration, Joseph’s tomb grew to become the simple location from which Jesus would rise. Had Jesus been thrown into a standard pit, the bodily resurrection couldn’t have been verified with the identical readability.
• An Instance of Braveness:
Joseph of Arimathea represents everybody who has ever feared going public with their religion. He’s an enormous exemplary lesson for these of us right this moment who consider in Jesus. In the mean time of biggest disaster, when the twelve apostles, together with Peter, had fled, this secret disciple discovered the braveness to step into the chamber of the depraved Sahendrin council, utilizing his wealth and affect to honor his Lord.
Understanding About Legends and Later Traditions
I’ve shared particulars of what the scriptures reveal about Joseph of Arimathea. Whereas the Bible says nothing extra about him after the resurrection, it’s believed {that a} wealth of legends about his later life developed throughout the Center Ages, significantly in Western Europe.
One of the acknowledged data of legends connects Joseph of Arimathea to Britain. These tales, which emerged centuries after his life, declare the next:
• Mission to Britain: It’s believed Joseph of Arimathea was despatched to Britain as a missionary, usually stated to have been despatched by St. Philip, and have become the primary Christian bishop within the Isles.
• The Holy Grail: In Arthurian legend, which is so in style even in our twenty first century. It’s identified most famously in Robert de Boron’s Joseph d’Arimathie. Legend says that Joseph is the unique guardian of the Holy Grail (the cup used on the Final Supper). He was stated to have collected Jesus’ blood within the cup and later introduced it to Britain.
• The Glastonbury Thorn: One other legend obtainable to us says that when Joseph arrived in Glastonbury, he thrust his employees into the bottom, the place it miraculously took root and grew into the “Glastonbury Thorn,” a hawthorn tree that flowers twice a 12 months, at Christmas and Easter.
I would really like us to take a be aware right here that these are later traditions, not discovered within the Bible, and historians contemplate them apocryphal. Nevertheless, I guess it’s price understanding these tales too, though I solely endorse what’s written within the Bible for my readers.
In a broader perspective, these traditions stir our curiosity and even testify to the enduring fascination with this biblical particular person referred to as Joseph of Arimathea.
Classes from the Lifetime of Joseph of Arimathea
The story of Joseph of Arimathea teaches us useful classes as Christians right this moment. Though his story may be very temporary in Scripture. It provides highly effective deep life classes for believers and non-believers right this moment.
1. It’s By no means Too Late to Present Braveness: Even a lifetime of secret religion can lead to one daring, defining act that honors God.
2. Use Your Assets for God’s Kingdom: Joseph used his wealth (the tomb), his affect (entry to Pilate), and his place to serve Jesus at a vital time. On this case, as a Christian, your sources or no matter you have got might be devoted to selling God’s kingdom enterprise.
3. Don’t All the time Comply with the Crowd: Joseph didn’t consent to the Sanhedrin’s choice, displaying that righteousness generally means standing alone in opposition to in style opinion.
It’s about selecting what is correct and pleasing within the sight of God somewhat than males. The Psalmist as soon as wrote; Who’re mere mortals that you have to be afraid of?
“I, I’m the one who consoles you. Why are you afraid of mortal males, of mere human beings who’re as short-lived as grass?” —Isaiah 51:12
Incessantly Requested Questions
1. What does “Arimathea” imply?
Arimathea is believed to be the Greek type of a Hebrew identify that means “heights,” definitely referring to a Judean city about 20 miles northwest of Jerusalem.
2. Is Joseph of Arimathea thought-about a saint?
Sure, he’s honored as a saint within the Roman Catholic Church, Japanese Orthodox, and a few Anglican traditions. His feast day is widely known on completely different dates, together with August 31 within the Roman calendar and July 31 within the Japanese Orthodox calendar.
3. Was Joseph Arimathea associated to Jesus?
Some extra-biblical traditions and legends recommend he was the great-uncle of Jesus, however the Bible itself makes no such declare and doesn’t point out a familial relationship. So we will’t settle for it as scriptural.
In Summation
Joseph of Arimathea stands as a distinguished particular person of religion and braveness. Similar to Onesiphorus within the lifetime of Apostle Paul. From his place as a rich and revered chief, he risked the whole lot to carry out a ultimate act of affection and devotion for his Savior.
So, by guaranteeing Jesus was buried in a identified, secured tomb, he unknowingly helped set the platform for probably the most supernatural occasion in historical past: the Resurrection.
His story is inspiring to right this moment’s Christianity that even within the darkest hours, one particular person’s brave act can play an element in God’s divine plan.
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