The Burial of Christ - The Honoring of Jesus by an Unlikely Disciple - Mark 15:42-47

Back to Message Archive

Introduction

We tend to spend a lot of time talking about the cross of Christ and of His resurrection – and we should! The death of Jesus and His victory over the grave are at the core of our faith and our hope. But there’s something that happens in between the death of Christ and His resurrection that all four Gospels make careful note of – His burial.

In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 as Paul summarizes the primary tenets of the Gospel, he includes this threefold summary: He died, He was buried, and He was raised from the dead.

It’s clear that God wants to emphasize the burial of Jesus. But Mark’s aim isn’t to tell us the significance of the burial; instead, he focuses on how Jesus was buried – and more specifically on the person who buried Him. In this sermon we are going to see how Christ was honored and God’s plan was fulfilled through the faith and courage of an unlikely disciple. 

Getting to Know this Unlikely Disciple – Joseph of Arimathea

  • A member of the Jewish Sanhedrin – Joseph was part of the council that had tried and convicted Jesus, but he seems to have been conflicted. Luke tells us that he hadn’t agreed to the decision to sentence Jesus or to send Him to the cross (Luke 23:50-51).
  • A faithful Jew – Both Mark and Luke tell us that Joseph was looking for the Kingdom of God – and it seems that as Jesus spoke about the Kingdom, Joseph believed what He said. Luke also calls Him good and righteous.
  • A well-respected and rich man – While the Scriptures make it clear that Joseph had both position and wealth, these didn’t keep him from giving himself for the sake of Christ.
  • A disciple of Jesus – Despite his peers and the pressure to take up the cause against Jesus, Joseph became of follower of Jesus. We don’t know how public his allegiance was prior to the death of Christ – but nevertheless John calls Him a disciple (John 19:38).

The Ways Joseph Honored Christ

  • Joseph honored Christ through His courage (15:43)
  • Over the course of the day Joseph had watched as his peers in the Sanhedrin arrest, convict and sentence Jesus to die. No doubt he knew that any sign of respect or allegiance to Jesus could cost him his reputation, his position and maybe even his own life. But Joseph doesn’t allow what he may lose to keep him from honoring Christ. Mark says that Joseph took courage and went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus (Mark 8:34-38).
  • Application - If, through a holy desire to honor Christ, Joseph assumed such courage, while Christ was hanging on the cross, woe to our slothfulness, if, now that he has risen from the dead, an equal zeal, at least, to glorify him does burn in our hearts. – John Calvin on Mark 15:43
  • Joseph honored Christ by giving Him a proper burial (15:44-46)
  • He requested the body of Jesus (at great risk)
  • He prepared the body of Jesus (with great care)
  • He buried the body of Jesus (at great expense) (Jn. 19:41; Is. 53:9)
  • Application: While it’s easy to read this passage and focus on Joseph, the emphasis should really be on Christ. Joseph did what he did because he recognized that Jesus is worthy of honor. Jesus is worthy of our worship, He is worthy of our obedience, He is worthy of our lives.

Two other Faithful Disciples

  • While the twelve disciples had fled and left Jesus alone Joseph was willing to come close. Mark mentions two other women who stayed near Jesus. These women were mentioned in the story of the crucifixion and we will see them again in the story of the resurrection. No doubt, these women loved Jesus and they wanted to stay near Him – even in His darkest hours. 
  • Application: May we be people who have a love for Jesus that keeps us close to Him even when everyone else turns away.