Faith Formation: Matthew The Gospel of God With Us. Nov. 14, 2024

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who also was himself a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, siting opposite the tomb. Matthew 27:57-61

"When it was evening..." The phrase ends a 24 hour expanse that began when Jesus sat down to eat the Passover meal with his disciples. Jesus gave the disciples his body and blood in the bread and the wine. His expended body and blood given for the life of the world was given to Joseph of Arimathea for burial. It was one day. While Jesus physical death took place in the midst of the day on Friday, in some respects he had already died in the presence of his disciples when they took the bread and the wine. In that respect perhaps this was the first of the three days of Jesus death after which he was raised.

Characters figure prominently playing their roles as the day came to a close. Joseph of Arimathea enters Matthew's account for the first time. Joseph is named in all four Gospels lending credence to his significant role in the story and the memory of the church. After this he was not heard from again. The Gospels described him variously as, a rich man, a disciple of Jesus (though a secret one), a friend of Nicodemus, a respected member of the Council (Sanhedrin) who did not consent to Jesus death, and one who was waiting for the kingdom of God. Joseph also had access to Pilate, something not many people were privileged to have. He had made personal preparations for his own death, having had a tomb carved out of the rock and in possession of a linen burial cloth. His servants no doubt did the work of digging the tomb, rolling the stone into place, and possibly to protect him from being unclean in association with Jesus dead body, by carrying the body and preparing it for burial. The stone rolled in front of the tomb was protection against scavengers, dogs, in search of food. The rich could afford this. Most people, particularly the condemned were not afforded this respect or protection in death.

Many have noted Joseph's courage or boldness. Requesting the body of Jesus, a crucified man, carried risk. While Jesus other disciples hid in fear of being implicated by Jesus condemnation, Joseph exposed himself to potential danger by respecting a crucified man with a decent burial. More often the crucified were left on the cross for days, their lifeless bodies exposed to the sun and scavengers, particularly birds. Abandonment on the cross was a effective deterrent. Perhaps as an older man wisdom and age shielded him from fear. Joseph was also motivated by devotion and piety. Jewish law stipulated that "his corpse must not remain all night on the tree; you must bury him that same day." Deuteronomy 21:23 Joseph by name is associated with two other people named "Joseph" in the scriptures. Joseph, the hero of Genesis who saved his family during the famine, confronted the power of Pharaoh with wisdom. Joseph, Mary's husband, also showed bravery both by resisting cultural condemnation for marrying a pregnant woman, and for dodging the power of Herod and his relatives.

Pilate's role in the story did not end with the trial. He was not able to simply wash his hands of the whole affair and be done with it. He was asked to release the body of Jesus, an unusual request and one he would have probably have refused if Joseph had not been a rich and influential man. Mark recorded that "Pilate wondered if he were already dead, and summoning the centurion he asked whether he had been dead for some time." Pilate had to confirm Jesus death for a couple reasons. Often death by crucifixion took longer than a single day. Premature removal of the body from the cross of a person not quite dead might allow for survival. Later he was also asked by the chief priests and Pharisees to set a guard at the tomb, which he refused to do.

Finally, the women who remained at the cross, also followed Jesus to his burial. Their ongoing role in the story served as witnesses to Jesus death and burial against those who would later claim that either Jesus did not actually die, or that his dead body was later removed the tomb in order to make false claims that he was raised. Matthew expressed the most concern of any of those who told Jesus story to confirm his death and dispel rumors that might undermine the story of Jesus resurrection.

Keep the faith. Say your prayers. Love like Jesus.

Pastor Tim Bauer