Luke 23:50-56 (ESV)

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.

This Joseph, known as Joseph of Arimathea, was not in agreement with the religious leaders’ decision to crucify Jesus. He was a wealthy man, and though he lived about five miles north, he owned a tomb in Jerusalem. Although Joseph was a member of the religious council known as the Sanhedrin, he believed in Jesus, trusting that Jesus would eventually establish the kingdom of God. Joseph, along with others, recognized that Jesus was the promised Messiah, but because these men feared the reaction of the leading Jews, they kept their faith hidden. Many who professed belief in Christ during this time suffered greatly at the hands of the Jews. They were excommunicated from the synagogues they attended, kept from participation in the local the marketplaces, and even cast out of their own families. It’s possible that Joseph wasn’t present when the Sanhedrin voted to execute Jesus, but once he became aware of all that transpired, his status shifted from a secret disciple to an open one. He boldly went to Pilate, got Jesus’ body, quickly wrapped it, and placed it in his tomb. The female disciples present at Christ’s execution were relieved to see Jesus’ body taken down from the cross and treated with proper respect. But because of the approaching Sabbath, Joseph had to rush. No work could be done on the day of rest. So although Jesus’ body was secured in the tomb, he didn’t receive a proper burial. The women who followed Jesus planned to return after the Sabbath to anoint his corpse. The Jews didn’t embalm their dead, but they did anoint them in spices to cover the smell of decay. These women were fully expecting to find Jesus’ body where it was left in Joseph’s tomb.

Verse 50 calls Joseph of Arimathea a “good and righteous” man. Though he was a sinner and needed the atoning work of Christ credited to his account, God saw him as upright. It is important to remember that we can be pleasing to God. No one can be saved or reconciled to God apart from Christ, but those who have trusted in Jesus and turned from their sins can make good decisions and, like Joseph, long for God’s kingdom. May we always remember that even though we can never earn our position in God’s family, we can make choices that glorify the Lord. May God find us righteous people today as we live in a way that brings honor to Jesus.