An Unknown Disciple and Pharisee
Devotional March 27: A story told of two very minor characters that made a big difference by caring for a dead man on a cross.
Devotion
“After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so, he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.”
– John 19:38-39 New Revised Standard Version
Remember back a few weeks ago, in the message during worship, when we talked about Nicodemus? It was the week we talked about John 3:
Well in this text, we have a reappearance of Nicodemus (one of only 3 times he is heard about in scripture) along with another oft-mentioned player in the crucifixion story, Joseph of Arimathea. It seems that in the time when those at the cross needed help the most, we read of an unknown disciple and a member of the Jewish class that called for his persecution.
These two figures come to honor Jesus in a time when, to be connected to this man meant being ostracized. We even see that the location of the tomb that Joseph offers is not divulged because of fear of what might happen to it. Nevertheless, these two men, along with the women who had followed Jesus to the cross, ensure that their Savior has a proper burial.
When I graduated from seminary, the graduation ceremony was held in The National Cathedral, an Episcopal cathedral located in the heart of northwest Washington, DC. There are several chapels in the National Cathedral (these in addition to the massive sanctuary space making up the main portion of the cathedral). For Wesley Graduates, we congregated in what is known as St. Joseph’s Chapel. Most think “Joseph, like Jesus’ earthly father…”
Nope, this is the Chapel of Joseph of Arimathea, it is located at the lowest point of the cathedral (on the basement level, and even below the crypts). The chapel is the resting place for Helen Keller, Matthew Shepard, and others, and during the pandemic “services were held in this chapel reading the names of those lost to that illness that were submitted by their loved ones.”1
Again, a seemingly unknown disciple and a man whose Jewish class condemned Jesus. It is in their story that we begin to see what we can truly be when we look to the death of Christ to heal what has otherwise caused harm. It is not what they had done prior to Jesus’ death, but it is how they responded to the man, the savior, dead on the cross that has made their story live through John’s telling of the Gospel.
Had none of the gospel’s included Joseph and had John’s Gospel not included Nicodemus, we might have no record of the work these two men did in the name of faith in Jesus. In the name of caring for another human (yes, this human also happened to be God), these two helped to ensure Jesus was cared for even after death. They helped pave the path for the resurrection to occur.
Never think yourself to small a part of the story to be able to make a difference. Your story may only be a paragraph, a sentence, even a footnote in someone else’s life, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a big impact on their story. We do the work of Christ, no matter how big or small, because we are led by a greater spirit calling us to wonderful and amazing work. This is the pull of the resurrection. This is the calling of faith. This is the example that Jesus’ death offers to us.
Reflection
Why do you think the most minor of characters can make the biggest difference in our journeys?
What are the small things we can do to share love for someone who is in need?
Prayer
Lord, as we are met with the cross this week, may our vision go to the service of those who are suffering. May we offer our own tombs, our own shelters, our own places of sanctuary to show your love to them. May your hope and peace guide us to be the transformation in the world brought forth by your resurrection. AMEN!!!