Holy Week Devotional: Day 7
Saturday, April 19, 2025
by Omari Hill
Luke 23:50-56
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
We don’t know much about Joseph of Arimathea other than that he was a distinguished member of the Sanhedrin, the highest legislative council in Judea during this period, and that he had a genuine heart for God. Luke reports that Joseph was a “good and righteous man… looking for the kingdom of God.” Notice how the language suggests that he actively watched for the coming of God’s promise. This committed posture was also shared by Joseph’s fellow council member, Nicodemus who, as we are told in John’s Gospel (19:39-40), joined him in burying the body of Jesus.
Both of these learned and powerful men began to earnestly suspect that what Jesus claimed about Himself was true yet did so in secret. Neither Nicodemus nor Joseph was willing to identify with Jesus in public for fear of the Sanhedrin. The council had made it very clear in conference among themselves and in public conflict with Jesus what consequences awaited those who would proclaim Him as the promised Messiah, God’s King.
But something had changed. Luke and all the Gospel writers report that on the very same day that Jesus was condemned and crucified, Joseph decided to out himself as one of His disciples. Think about this: When would be a good time to identify yourself with someone who is despised by both your peers and co-workers and also considered a second-class citizen by the governing authorities? You would be more likely to take the risk of association while this person is feeding the hungry, healing the sick, raising the dead, and conquering demons.
Let’s agree with the apostles (with the exception of John who never left and well, Judas) that the day Jesus is publicly executed just outside of the Holy City would not be the ideal moment to reveal one’s loyalty to His mission. We’re not told why Joseph (or Nicodemus) chose now to risk losing his reputation, his livelihood or worse, but the growth of his character and faith clearly had something to do with it.
Recall Jesus’ own words here when He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” (Matthew 13:44). Joseph was willing to give up everything else, including his own tomb, to possess the treasure of Christ whom he had already cherished in his heart. He literally covered up the body of Jesus according to Jewish burial custom and laid Him in the part of his tomb that was likely reserved for himself, thus fulfilling the prophets (see Isaiah 53:9).
What would it take for you to publicly identify with Jesus even when the hope of God’s kingdom seems like a shadow? It is so much easier to consider or even celebrate the claims of Jesus over our lives, influence, and possessions when our economic, mental, social, or political realities feel aligned with our desires, but what about during the chaos and losses of life?
As you prepare your heart for the Sabbath celebration of resurrection, consider how God established the kingdom of heaven by surrendering His Son to your tomb so that your life might become fragrant with everlasting life. As Paul the apostle reminds us: “Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (Romans 6:8).
Related Resources:
- Listen to our worship music playlist to help prepare your heart this Easter.
- Attend or stream our Saturday Easter service at 5 pm ET, in the Sanctuary.
- View our Holy Week services and plan to worship with us this weekend.
