MARKAN MEDITATIONS

Meditations in the Gospel of St. Mark

St. Mark 15:42-47

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IN THESE verses Mark gives an account of the burial of Jesus and in consequence we read the remarkable story of Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and influential Jew. This man shows a remarkable faith and love for Jesus which we would do well to note and seek to emulate.

First let us notice Joseph's love for Jesus. The time of his condemnation and death through the hate and accusation of the Jews was not a good time to stand out for Jesus, yet Joseph showed his love in spite of this. He sought to honour Jesus in his death, and show that he did not share the attitude of despising amongst his fellow countrymen. He openly went to Pilate and sought the body of Jesus. He then gave Jesus the best of burial rites, and lay him in a prepared tomb which no doubt he had prepared for himself. He was not ashamed of Jesus at a time when even the disciples were afraid to come out in the open to honour him. His love did what it could for Jesus and so honoured Jesus at a time when most despised him and rejected him. This is courageous love for the Lord.

Here is great grace. Grace is often found in the most unlikely places. How much the action of Joseph shames us as we remember how little we are prepared to do for Jesus and how little we are prepared to own him, when the consequences of deep devotion for Jesus is far from dangerous as it was at that time for Joseph. How we need to pray that the Lord may increase our love for him. How we need to dwell more diligently on the love of Jesus for us as it is told us in the Bible and in his cross and passion. It is as we let the love of Jesus for us fill our souls that we will find our love for Jesus increased.

The next thing to notice is Joseph's testimony. We read in verse 43 that Joseph "was himself waiting for the kingdom of God". The very fact that he was still waiting shows he understood that it was not to be found in the Jewish system. He was a devout Jew who looked for the coming of the Messiah through whom the kingdom would be introduced. The fact that he honoured Jesus in this way shows that he believed that Jesus was the Messiah through whom the kingdom of God would come. No doubt he was perplexed at this time how it could come now that Jesus had been so cruelly put to death. His action is burying Jesus reveals that he still held on to his faith in Jesus even though he was at loss to see how his hopes would be realised.

This is real faith and a tremendous testimony. He proclaims to us all that it is only in faith in Jesus as the Christ, the Saviour of the world, that a soul may ever enter the kingdom of God, and that through Jesus the kingdom will be ours. There is also a great testimony concerning faith. Joseph believed when all seemed against belief being of any value. His faith was vindicated when Jesus rose from the dead, and Joseph saw his Messiah as the one who has conquered death, and thus removed the penalty for sin from all who believe in him. Sin keeps us out of the kingdom. Now, in Christ, sins penalty, death, has been exhausted and the kingdom is open to all who believe.

There are times also in the life of every Christian when a faith like Joseph's is called for. We can't see how Christ can help us in the situation we are in, but we hold on to Him with all our strength, knowing by faith that there is an answer which Christ will reveal in his good time.

Then lastly we see Joseph was in the plan of God worked out and determined even before time began. Joseph was doing what he did for Jesus because he loved and trusted Jesus, yet he was carrying out the will of God which had been predetermined by God. Isaiah in chapter 53 and verse 9 tells us that the Servant of God, who is none other than Christ, would be assigned a grave with the rich in his death. This is so unlikely an event bearing in mind the nature of Jesus' death. Logically there was no grounds for supposing he would receive any honour in burial. Yet here is God's plan being fulfilled by Joseph.

See the sovereignty of God. Even Pilate who had no desire or will to do God's will, is found to be fulfilling that will, and fulfilling it without any coercion of his will by divine power. So great is the power and wisdom of God, that he performs all his will in spite of all the opposition against him, and even through those who oppose his will. They do God's will willing, though not realising it. Let us take comfort from this fact. The world seems all opposed to God, yet God can't fail to fulfil all his will, specially in the redemption of his elect, and the world can't do anything to stop him.

Lastly let us notice again the loving devotion of the women for Jesus. They take the trouble to notice what was happening to his body, taking care that they noted where his body was laid. Why take all this trouble? For no other reason than that they desired deeply in love to honour him even in death, by coming to anoint his body at the earliest opportunity. There love was rewarded as they were the first to know the glorious news that Jesus had risen from death, and Mary was the first to see him alive. Deep love always has its reward in deeper fellowship with the Lord.