“Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.” Luke 23:50-51 ESV
Reflection: how would you be able to recognize the kingdom of God?
We have been following Jesus during his last days in this world, as he is battling for mankind. It seems like darkness and evil have taken over, even reaching his own followers. And even through all the injustice, the horrific pain and suffering, being betrayed, denied and deserted by his own, Jesus does not waiver. He put all his faith in his Father and His will, to the very end, as he proclaimed “Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46 ESV. He was clinging to the goodness of his Father to his last breath. He didn’t do all of this for himself. No, he was innocent. He did it for us. So that we could be reconciled with God. So that we didn’t have to experience the just punishment for sin – the eternal separation from all that is good, from God.
The love of Jesus Christ.
After his death was pronounced by a Roman soldier, his remaining disciples and followers all fled and went into hiding. Watching this all happen before their own eyes must have been so surreal, so difficult to process. To comprehend. Now what? This is not at all what they had understood what Jesus had told them would happen, although he had said this several times. Being without Jesus, we can only image their dialogue. Sorrow. Anger. Frustration. Disappointment. Perhaps even hopelessness. Yet, in the darkness, when everyone seem to have given up hope,
we see a glimmer of light.
Joseph of Arimathea was also a member of the council that wanted to get rid of Jesus. And, although he has been part of this cesspool of evil, we learn about Joseph that “he was looking for the kingdom of God.” He was looking for, and waiting expectantly on God to act. He had also been exposed to all the darkness and evil all around. He also saw how the council, with made up charges, got an innocent man put to death. And he wanted no part of this. Luke writes that Joseph was “a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action”. Despite all the evil he had seen, he was still looking to God. Looking for signs of the kingdom. And, then Luke writes, “This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.” Luke 23:52-53 ESV.
If we consider for a moment the personal and political risk and cost this man took, acting against the council, going to Pilate, the one that had just ordered the crucifixion of an innocent man, to take down the body, and then to use his own costly grave site to give Jesus a proper burial. It doesn’t say that he was a follower of Christ, but by his actions we see a man after God’s own heart. He was waiting for and looking for the kingdom of God. And while waiting, despite the darkness all around him, we see him living out what Jesus taught. Joseph demonstrated
Kingdom living.
Just as we are called to follow Jesus. There are many who are waiting for Jesus to return to set things straight. And someday the risen Christ will return as the King of kings. But in the meantime, while there is so much darkness all around us, we too are called to live out the Kingdom of God. Jesus told us to be the light of the world, the salt of the earth, so that people around us can see Christ, hope in the darkness and turn to him. While we wait for the King, let’s practice Kingdom living. Like Joseph.