Page 116 - laten-08-06-2020

Joseph Arimathea

Dared to be polluted

Luke 23: 50-54; John 19: 38
Introduction

Joseph of Arimathea: Multiple roles and pro-Jesus Joseph
mong all the five Josephs in the Gospel narrations (The
Abrother of Jesus, the father of Jannai, Barnabas, the husband
of Mary and Joseph of Arimathea), two enter with distinctive
purpose in the life of Jesus and they exit the scene thereafter.
Joseph the husband of Mary comes at his birth and the other,
Joseph of Arimathea, comes in his death. The former wrapped
the baby Jesus and laid him in the manger and the later wrapped
the body of Jesus with linen and laid him in a tomb.
Joseph of Arimathea is the character for our meditation.
He is presented in the gospel as a person with nobility. We find
him in all the four Gospel passion narratives.
According to John (John 19:38), Joseph of Arimathea is
a disciple who secretly followed Jesus. The one asked Pilot and
with his permission took the body from the cross. According to
Jewish custom, he wrapped the body of Jesus and laid the body
in a new tomb in the Garden. In John he is accompanied by
Nicodemus.
In Luke (Luke 23: 50-53), he is a good and upright man
waiting for the kingdom of God. He belongs to the specific
Judean town of Arimathea. Even though he was a member
of the council, he didn’t consent to the council’s decision and
action.

For Mark (Mark 15:15-45), Joseph was a prominent
member of the council who approached Pilot boldly and asked
for the body of Jesus. He wrapped Jesus with linen cloth and
placed him in a tomb.

110
Lenten Meditations Re - Imaging People