loudandclear

Mark 15:42-47

 ⁴² This all happened on Friday, the day of preparation, the day before the Sabbath. As evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph 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.) ⁴⁴ Pilate couldn’t believe that Jesus was already dead, so he called for the Roman officer and asked if he had died yet. ⁴⁵ The officer confirmed that Jesus was dead, so Pilate told Joseph he could have the body. ⁴⁶ Joseph 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. ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus’ body was laid.

(((Joseph of Arimathea is a very interesting character to take such an interest to Jesus’ body being buried and cared for.  He was a member of the Jewish Council (the Sanhedrin) who wanted to put Jesus to death, but the other gospels such as Matthew 27:57 says that Joseph was a disciple of Jesus.  Perhaps, through the gross mistreatment of Jesus in His trials, the earth shaking death of Jesus, and the curtain ripping in the temple he realized that Jesus was the Messiah.  Joseph was “looking for the Kingdom of God” and He found that it was fulfilled and initiated by Jesus of Nazareth.)))

(((Joseph took care of Jesus’ body according to Jewish ritual by wrapping it a cloth and laying Him to rest in a tomb.  Mark is sure to explain to us that there is a stone rolled in front of the entrance to block any thievery or tricks of stealing the body.  Mark also tells us that Mary Magdalene and Jesus’ mother Mary saw Joseph lay Jesus’ body to rest in the tomb…all seemed over….)))