Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. Matthew 27:57-61
Some of the Jewish leaders secretly believed that Jesus was the Messiah, but didn't want others to know they believed, for fear of being killed. The Bible tells us that both Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were members of the Sanhedrin who believed that Jesus was the Son of God and trusted Him for their salvation. After Jesus died on the cross, these men could not hide their faith any longer. Joseph of Arimathea loved Jesus so much, he was willing to risk his own life by asking for the body of Jesus.
Joseph was a very rich man and wanted His Lord to be buried in a proper manner. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 53:9 "His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death..." God foretold this before Jesus was even born.
Joseph's love for Jesus and courage were really amazing! God is pleased when we love Him enough to risk the things we own, even our very lives, to stand with Him. Will you be courageous and stand with Jesus?
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