From the Pulpit, 02-16-19

Ancient Words:

Name Above All Names, Three Josephs Number 3

The account of Joseph #3 is found in all four Gospels. From the account of the death of Jesus, we learn that Joseph #3 was from Arimathea. He was a good and upright man, a rich man, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin or Council, a secret disciple of Jesus, waiting for the Kingdom of God, who refused to give consent to the decision and action to crucify Jesus. He stood against the status quo and boldly went before Pilate and pleaded for the body of Jesus. Joseph (and Nicodemus) carefully took Jesus down from the cross, prepared his body, and laid Jesus in the tomb owned by Joseph #3. Joseph of Arimathea was a highly visible, distinguished member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council led by the high priests. The seventy-one members of the Sanhedrin were the wealthiest and most powerful men of Jerusalem and the surrounding region. Matthew calls Joseph rich, a fact which is verified by his ownership of a tomb carved in the rocks. Scripture gives no indication of what he did for a living none the less, Joseph was well-to-do.

To make sure Jesus received a proper burial, Joseph of Arimathea boldly asked Pontius Pilate for custody of Jesus’ body. Joseph’s desire to properly bury the dead despite personal risk showed that he was a devout Jew. Not only did he risk ritual uncleanness by entering the quarters of a pagan, but together with Nicodemus, he further contaminated himself under Mosaic law, by touching a corpse. In the face of known opposition, he acted with courage and bravery and tender compassion. The Apostles fled, but two from the council of evil, respond not again as secret disciples but bold disciples ready to risk their own lives as well, and now we have the saving resurrection story. Arimathea is a Greek word for Rama and specifically Rama-Benjamin and place it at Ramathaim-zophim in the hilly region of Ephraim, where Samuel the prophet was born (1 Sam 1.1). Joseph of Arimathea was from Rama and Rama is spoken of in Matthew in the fulfillment of prophecy concerning the killing of the innocent boys, two years old and under by Herod as he tried to kill the baby Jesus (Matt 2.18 and Jer 31.5). Bethlehem is in Rama-Benjamin and so God completes Jesus’ time on earth by calling Joseph #3, a possible surviving son of Herod’s order, to physically lay our Lord to rest and tenderly anoint the King much like Samuel anointed young king David.

All three Josephs prepare for Jesus in some way: Joseph #1 lived a life of forgiveness and love and joy—so that the Christmas Star out of Jacob pointed to the way we should live, Joseph #2 lived a life of trust and belief and truth so strongly that a manger birth became defined for the ages. Joseph #3 secretly followed Christ but stepped up bravely to offer his tomb for the crucified One so that three days later, the proclamation by Angels would be complete: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2.11). All three Josephs defied rejection by man to prepare for Jesus. All three Josephs stood for Jesus regardless of the cost. Sometimes our faith in Jesus Christ carries a high price. No doubt Joseph was shunned by his peers for caring for Jesus’ body, but he followed his belief anyway. Doing the right thing for God may bring suffering in this life, but it carries eternal rewards in the next.

Scott and Jane Johnson minister with East Faulkner Church of Christ and BRG Bible. Bible questions can be sent to [email protected].

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No More Baggage!

No More Baggage! I hate packing! It gives me anxiety! I am always afraid that I will not pack enough or forget something! Even when I create a list, I always have that sinking feeling that something is missing. Tomorrow, I leave for the biggest adventure of my life time. I am going with session mates from seminary to Israel. We will be on The Holy Land Tour for 2 weeks. We will walk where Jesus walked! We will visit the site of His birth, the Garden of Gethsemane, His empty tomb, and many other historic places! I’m most looking forward to being baptized in the Jordan River, where my Savior was baptized. I have been looking forward to this opportunity for so long and even in all the hype and excitement I still have anxiety about packing! I can only take one suitcase! What should I pack to wear? Will it be hot or cold? Will I have enough room? Ugh! Again, I hate packing! Thankfully my wife Elyshia has no problem speaking her mind and bringing me back to reality! I am going to The Holy Land! That is what’s important! Sometimes, we literally allow excess “baggage” in life to weigh us down and distract us from the big picture. 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.

31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:25, 31-33)

Shalom, my friends!

Peace and Blessings,

Captain Jason Perdieu is corps officer of the Salvation Army of El Dorado.

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