Behold the Opportunity

Series: Behold the Cross

Bible Reading Introduction

Special attention to the burial: Mention in all 4 Gospel Records

We continue in Beholding the Cross.

Today we look at the burial and the testimony of the man who begs for the body of Christ.

Luke 23:50–56 (KJV)

50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

Sermon Introduction

Opening Story

Picture of Keith Shumaker

Today some of us are feeling the sore muscles of folding paper.

It is wonderful to have a clear, tangible opportunity to serve the Lord.

It was a very dark day.

The disciples had scattered. John 16:32 “32 Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.”

Jesus was lifeless upon the cross.

There was not plan.

A few women who had remained about the cross, true to the very last, were found faithful unto death; but what could they do to obtain his sacred body and give it honourable burial?

Behold, there was a man named Joseph

Luke 23:50 “50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:”

There was a Joseph for Israel in Egypt, and there was a Joseph for Jesus on the cross.

A Joseph acted to him a father’s part at his birth, and another Joseph arranged for his burial.

The Lord shall not be left without friends.

Details of the burial of Christ are of great significance.

Joseph will be about the Lord’s work

The importance of the fact before us is far greater than a careless reader supposes.

Nothing short of the death of Jesus could have paid man's debt to God.

Forever let us bless God that our great Redeemer's death is a fact beyond all dispute.

The centurion who stood by the cross,

the friends who took out the nails, and laid the body in the grave,

the women who stood by and beheld,

the priests who sealed up the grave,

the soldiers who guarded the sepulcher,

all, all are witnesses that Jesus actually was dead.

The great sacrifice was really offered.

The life of the Lamb was actually taken away.

The penalty due to sin has actually been discharged by our Divine Substitute

Details of the burial are of extreme importance.

Involvement in the burial of a person is extremely personal. It is normally reserved only for family members.

It is always something you want to get right when it comes to a loved one.

Fulfillment of Scripture is emphasized

Obedience to Scripture is never a small detail in the story of our life. Luke 23:56 “56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.”

These women will be at the tomb on the morning of the resurrection because they rested on the Sabbath according to Scriptures.

It is through obedience to God’s Word that we place our selves in the story as we should be.

TRIPLE THREAT POSITION [ILLUSTRATION]

The death, burial, and resurrection were supernatural and complete fulfillment of Scripture

Jesus enters Jerusalem as prophesied. Zechariah 9:9 “9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.” — There was a man who had a donkey prepared.

Jesus would be betrayed by a close friend. Psalm 41:9 “9 Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.” - Judas would play this role.

Jesus would be tried and condemned. Isaiah 53:8 “8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.” - This was facilitated by Pilate

Jesus would be crucified and pierced. Zechariah 12:10 “10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.” - by the hand of Romans soldiers

Buried in a wealthy man’s tomb. Isaiah 53:9 “9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.” - It is Joseph’s time to step into the story.

Joseph will publically and personally identify with Christ

What do we know of this man?

Nothing before or after about this man.

We are told of one Joseph, "a good man and a just"--a man who "had not consented to the counsel" of those who condemned our Lord--a man who "himself waited for the kingdom of God”. This man went boldly to Pilate after the crucifixion, begged the body of Jesus, "took it down" from the cross, and "laid it in a tomb."

Let us be satisfied to pause where the Holy Spirit stays his pen.

Though he has been silent in the past.

Though his stance would publicly identify him with Christ and make him vulnerable to shame.

Though he had to make a quick decision and move fast.

Though his decision would cost him on every level.

Joseph provides a word of caution, instruction

Joseph was a man who overcame his fear.

John 19:38 “38 And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.”

Fear which leads us to conceal our faith is an evil thing.

Fear of man is a plant to be rooted up, and not to be nurtured. I should set that plant, if I could, where it would get but little water, and no sunshine, and meanwhile I would beg a cutting from a better tree. - Spurgeon

If you are the slave of such fear it demeans you, be-littles you, and prevents your giving due glory to God.

We see from these verses that Christ has some disciples of whom little is known

Causes of fear

The more we have to gain in life, the more we have to lose.

Riches do not strengthen the heart, or make men daring for the good cause.

Be careful that you do not permit the liberality of God in your life to be a cause of disloyalty to him.

Had a good status among his peers.

The tendency of a good position in this world is towards caution rather than enthusiasm.

Have you known of a secret disciple. We do not often know of them when they are alive but I have been to many funerals where you would think they were describing the life of a double agent.

Story of the man who was warned his new job at the lumber yard would be difficult if they knew he was a Christian. “I lived in such a way that they never knew.”

Joseph lost out due to his secret following of Jesus

During that brief but golden period in which men walked and talked, and ate and spent time with Jesus, Joseph was not with him.

How many opportunities he must have missed, too, of working for Jesus and with Jesus!

Transitional Statement: Joseph is more than a warning. He provides an example

Joseph was moved by the cross.

What was it that fetched Joseph of Arimathæa out? It was the power of the cross!

He could not be silent any longer.

Was it the words that Jesus spoke on the cross? Father forgive them.

Joseph beheld the cross and was moved to action.

Look to the cross and say from the depth of your heart “He loved me, and gave himself for me.” If you cannot say that, you will never be happy; but if you can, then what follows?

Transitional Statement: If the death of Christ in our place does not move us to courageous affection and action for him, what can?

Joseph was the very man needed for the occasion

a man of influence

a man possessing that kind of influence which was most potent with Pilate— a rich man

a counsellor, a member of the Sanhedrim

a person of weight and character

Many people speak of how their influence and wealth has put them in a position to do good, but very few use their resources to do the most good. Many people are not true to their occasions!

The Lord had His servant made ready, and when the time came, when the occasion called for him, the man shall be found for the hour.

Every man that loves Christ should at this hour prove it by his actions!

Joseph no longer could stay on the sidelines.

I do not know what all Joseph say..

When they ran him out of the city and wanted to throw him over a cliff was he there. Was he there?

When they said he was not of God but of the devil. Was he there?

When they falsely accused Him. Was he there?

Now that they were going to treat his death as just another death and place him in the nearest grave he was there!

He quits their company and joins himself to the Lord Jesus.

He left a place of power and joins himself with the people who are standing in the truth.

Just like with Joseph, the activity of our life should center around our response to the cross.

Everything we have is to be put at Jesus' disposal. If Jesus needs it. It is His.

Joseph in owning his Lord put himself under personal risk. A Christian slave, whose master was executed for being a Christian, went to the judge, and begged the body of his master that he might bury it. The judge replied, “Wherefore do you wish for your master’s body?” “Because he was a Christian, and I am one.” Upon this confession he was himself condemned to die. It might have been so with Pilate; for the Jewish rulers must have hated Joseph and longed for his death.

Joseph did not know of the response of those around him, but he simply knew he know longer could stay in the shadows. He had to identify with Christ.

Do you think that if it were needful for you to jeopardize your best earthly interests for Christ, you would do it?

Do you believe if you come out for Christ and unite with his people, that you lower yourself?

Luke 23:52-53 “52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.”

Joseph knew the occasion had come.

His obedience would be costly but it was necessary.

He no longer could stay in the shadows. He had to identify publically and personally with Christ.

People like Joseph have been stepping up ever since.

Emperor Julian, writing in the early fourth century regretted the progress of Christianity because it pulled people away from the Roman gods. He said,

Atheism [i.e. Christian faith] has been specially advanced through the loving service rendered to strangers, and through their care for the burial of the dead. It is a scandal that there is not a single Jew who is a beggar, and that the godless Galileans care not only for their own poor but for ours as well; while those who belong to us look in vain for the help that we should render them.

Time of Response

Maybe you know you have been living your Christian life in the shadows.

Just like Jesus you are missing out on a walk with the Lord that is available to you.

Unbeliever: Great measure was taken to prove the authenticity of the death and resurrection. It matters far more than you could ever imagine for world history, your life, and your eternity.