“…there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action…he was waiting for the kingdom of God” Luke 23:50,51.
Evil is often loud and brash, while good is often quiet and purposeful.
“…there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action…he was waiting for the kingdom of God” Luke 23:50,51.
The crucifixion account is filled with shouting, accusations, slapping and hitting, mocking and anger. We may expect this from the Roman soldiers attending and who were used to violent ways, but a lot of this came from religious leaders of the day. Evil is often loud and brash, while good is often quiet and purposeful.
This beautiful little piece at the end of the awful crucifixion experience centers on Joseph. He was a wealthy man, with a generous rock cut tomb waiting for him upon death. He was a powerful man – a member of the ruling council that basically gave direction (under Roman authority) to the nation. He was an intelligent man – a man of stature in the community.
Joseph may have been the one man on the council who represented what the council was intended to be. He was untouched by the evil ways of the majority – because he was looking for the establishment of God’s kingdom.
When the whole ugly scene was over, Joseph went public and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Think about it – taking Jesus’ body down would have been a grisly task – and Joseph was willing to be public with his care for Jesus – everyone knew where he stood.
It would have been so easy to go along with the prevailing wind, but he remained constant because he knew that God is in charge and His kingdom is coming. Stephen Covey said: “People can’t live with change if there’s not a changeless core inside them.”
What kind of setting are you in? Is there temptation to go along with the crowd? What is your enduring hope? How do you keep your eye on the prize?
As ever, our model is Jesus. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” Hebrews 12:2,3.
Pastor Leon Throness
