Joseph of Arimathaea - Luke 23:51

Luke the beloved physician wrote how, “there was a man named Joseph, a counselor; and he was a good man, and a just”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fifty-one of his book Luke shared how Joseph was, “of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews” where we read:

(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.

The verse reads, “(The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, ...” Luke began parenthetically with the words, (“The same had not consented to” or “Joseph did not agree with and vote for” “the counsel” which means “the advise, purpose and will” “and deed of them” or “and doing, acting or practice of the Sanhedrin” “He was of Arimathaea” or “Joseph was from the area known as Arimathaea which means heights and was the name of several cities in Palestine”. Luke inserted a parenthesis that shared how “Joseph” did not “agree” with the decision of the “Sanhedrin” to have Jesus crucified, and that He was from the area of “Arimathaea”.

The verse continues, “... a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.” Luke added the words, “a city” which means “a dwelling place, habitation and abode” “of the Jews” or “belonging to the Jewish nation and people”: “who also himself” which means “who even so and indeed his own self” “waited for the kingdom of God” or “expected and looked for the royal power, dominion, kingship and rule belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Arimathaea” was a “dwelling place” for the Jewish people, and that “Joseph” was also looking for and expecting “God's Kingdom” to appear.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn more about “Joseph” as he was from “Arimathaea” and did not agree with the “Sanhedrin” who condemned Jesus to die. We shall learn what “Joseph” did for the “body” of Jesus in the next verse, but for now, let us consider not only the reputation of “Joseph” but also the hope and expectation that was within Him. God desires to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they do, their hope and expectation in life will be directly tied to their Heavenly Father. Let all who read these words yield their lives to Jesus who alone is to make them “righteous” and in expectation and hope of His Kingdom to appear.

Next time Luke shares how Joseph of Arimathaea, “went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".