When Jesus was crucified, Mark wrote how, “Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God. There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome. (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem. And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, ...”, and in chapter fifteen and verse forty-three of his book, Mark shared about, “Joseph of Arimathaea” where we read:
Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God,
came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
The verse reads, “Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, ...” Mark began with the word, “Joseph” which means “let him add” who was “a member of the Sanhedrin and favored Jesus” “of Arimathaea” which means “from heights” and was “the name of several cities in Palestine”, “an honorable counsellor” or “an influential, graceful, comely, wealthy and respectable senator and member of the Sanhedrin”, “which also waited for” which means “who even and indeed was expecting and looking toward” “the kingdom of God” or “the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Mark mentioned a “wealthy and respected” man named “Joseph” who was from “Arimathaea” who was “looking for” God's Kingdom.
The verse continues, “... came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. ...” Mark added the word, “came” or “arose, appeared and showed forth himself”, “and went in boldly” which means “Joseph entered with courage” “unto Pilate” or “to where Pilate was located. Pilates name means “armed with a spear” and was the sixth Roman procurator of Judah and Samaria who ordered Christ to be crucified”. Mark continued, “and craved the body” which means “and begged for, desired and asked for the physical body” “of Jesus” or “the physical body of Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is salvation”. Mark shared how “Joseph of Arimathaea” approached “Pilate” courageously and asked him for Jesus' “body”.
When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how this well known, wealthy and respected man name “Joseph” came to “Pilate” and asked for His body. “Joseph” was from “Arimathaea” was a member of the “Sanhedrin” or governing body of religious leaders, and he was “expecting” God's Kingdom to arrive. When Jesus “died”, “Joseph's” passion took over, and He wanted Jesus' “body” to be cared for after He died. God has a way of turning people toward Him who were once opposed to Him and His Son Jesus. “Joseph” acted upon His desire and went to “Pilate” to effect a change. Those who are wise will turn to God and receive His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”.
Next time Mark shares how, “Pilate marveled if” Jesus “were already dead”, 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".
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