The Call for Josephs of Arimathea Amid Covid-19 Pandemic

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The Jewish chief priest Caiaphas and his cohorts orchestrated the events leading to Jesus' crucifixion. They enlisted Judas, one of the disciples, to help arrest Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. When Jesus was arrested, they presented and tried him before the council of religious elders.

Caiaphas presided over the trial to convince the council members to legitimize the killing of Jesus. Apparently, Caiaphas successfully persuaded them and almost everyone agreed except for a lone dissenter. 

To complete the plan to murder Jesus, Caiaphas convinced Herod to support his plan. They brought the matter to Pilate. Upon their instigation, Pilate had Jesus flogged and crucified just to appease those who wanted him dead, though Jesus was innocent.

The Roman crucifixion applied to persons who were guilty of serious crimes like murder and rebellion. It was a capital punishment reserved for lowlife and people of low stature. It carried a stigma and nobody wanted to be identified with those crucified. In Jesus' crucifixion, the disciples kept their distance.

It must've been hard for Jesus who was alone and hurt during his hearing, flogging, carrying of the cross and impaling on the cross. More so, when he died, his lifeless body limped helplessly on the cross. His scared disciples didn't dare to bring down his body for burial, lest they earn Pilate's anger.

In all the bloody drama surrounding the crucifixion, one person worked behind the scenes and helped Jesus when he was still alive and until he died. He was the lone dissenter, Joseph of Arimathea. 

Joseph pleaded for Jesus at the Council, even though Jesus relentlessly discredited their practice of shepherding the faithful. Ironically, Joseph belonged to that Council.

When Jesus died on the cross, he pleaded with Pilate for Jesus' body to be buried. A person of low-stature can't just go directly to Pilate with that request considering the controversy about Jesus. Obviously, he used his status to secure that favor.

Finally, he offered his unused tomb to bury Jesus' body wrapped in linen. It was an expensive tomb for rich folks during those days. His family probably objected to the burial of a crucified man in their tomb. Remember the stigma of being crucified.

The four gospel writers described Joseph of Arimathea and his actions on those fateful days.

  • A good and upright man (Luke 23: 50)
  • He did not consented to the decision and action of the Council (Luke 23: 51)
  • A prominent member of the Council (Mark 15:42)
  • A secret disciple of Jesus because he feared the Jews (John 19: 38)
  • A rich man (Matthew 27: 57)
  • He went boldly to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body (Mark 15:42)
  • He placed Jesus' body wrapped in linen in his own new tomb (Matthew 27:59)

What could have pushed Joseph out of his comfort zone and probably risk a lot for Jesus? When situation gets risky, human nature dictates a person to play it safe. I suspect that Jesus Christ's teachings about the Kingdom of Heaven motivated Joseph's action despite the risk. Remember he was a secret follower of Jesus. 

Just like Joseph of Aritmathea, Jesus calls on people of privilege to go out of their comfort zones and do the right thing. He calls on people with multitudes of followers in social media to use their voices and platforms and inspire people to do what is good, what is right, and what is decent. 

Jesus' call for them includes speaking out against the wrong that adds to the suffering of many. He is calling us to be Josephs of Arimathea amid this Covid-19 pandemic.



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