The Request

The Request

Mark 15:42-47, NLT

This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, 43Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.) 44Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. 45The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. 46Joseph bought a long sheet of linen cloth. Then he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. 47Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

Setting the Scene

Some of the women at the Cross had come from Galilee with Jesus for the Passover. These women had been faithful to Jesus’ ministry, following him and providing for his material needs (see Luke 8:1-3). Mary Magdalene was from Magdala, a town near Capernaum in Galilee. Jesus had released her from demon possession (Luke 8:2). Matthew distinguishes another Mary by identifying her sons, who may have been well known in the early church (Matthew 27:56). Salome, the mother of the disciples James and John, was there, too. John wrote that Jesus’ mother, Mary, was present and that, from the cross, Jesus told John to take care of her (John 19:25-27).

Because Jewish law forbade allowing a dead body to remain exposed overnight (Deuteronomy 21:23), Joseph of Arimathea “asked for Jesus’ body” so he could give it a proper burial. Although he was an honored member of the Sanhedrin (Mark 15:43), Joseph was a “secret disciple” of Jesus (John 19:38, NLT). As evening and the Sabbath approached, Joseph had to hurry. Fortunately he had help. Nicodemus, another member of the Sanhedrin, brought spices with which to wrap Jesus’ body in the linen cloth provided by Joseph (John 3:1; 19:38-42).

Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body, placed it in the tomb, and rolled a heavy stone across the entrance. The religious leaders also watched where Jesus was buried, along with Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph.

Getting Personal

When have you been tempted to keep your faith a secret?

What do you risk in letting others know how you feel about Jesus?

Jesus’ eleven closest disciples ran away when he was taken. But his secret followers Joseph and Nicodemus stepped forward. In asking for Jesus’ body, they were exposed, their secret revealed. Joseph risked his safety and reputation to give Jesus a proper burial; he went against propriety and expectations.

It would be easiest and safest to keep quiet about our beliefs and convictions. But Christ calls us to follow him boldly, standing for the truth and doing what is right. When you think your Christian witness will endanger your reputation or security, remember Joseph and Nicodemus.

Talking to God

Ask God to remove your fears about what others will think of you or say about you. Ask for the courage and strength to stand up for your faith and for Christ Jesus.