Joseph of Arimathea - Matthew 27:57-61 - Skip Heitzig

The Importance of Love and Community 02:02

"Once a year on Valentine's Day weekend, we like to have the love bomb to bombard children impacted by terrorism with the love of God."

• The church organizes an initiative called "Reload Love" to provide tangible expressions of God's love to children who have been affected by terrorism.

• This effort occurs on Valentine's Day weekend to align with the theme of love, aiming to use the holiday for a greater purpose and glorify God’s message.

• The idea stems from wanting to bring hope and support to those in distress and to remind participants of the power of compassion and community.

Joseph of Arimathea: An Overlooked Figure 03:08

"It's largely an overlooked text. It's an overlooked individual."

• Joseph of Arimathea is not commonly remembered, yet he played a crucial role in the burial of Jesus.

• Despite his significance in the Gospel narrative, he is rarely discussed in sermons and is not typically memorized or referenced by individuals.

• His actions fulfilled a prophetic scripture from the Old Testament regarding the Messiah’s burial, emphasizing the divine orchestration behind these events.

The Significance of His Wealth and Status 08:16

"A rich man from Arimathea."

• Joseph is identified as a wealthy individual and a prominent member of the Jewish council known as the Sanhedrin.

• His wealth was essential to fulfilling the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which states that the Messiah would be buried with the rich.

• Despite his high status, Joseph did not agree with the council’s decision regarding Jesus, indicating his moral integrity and willingness to stand alone for his beliefs.

Joseph's Secret Discipleship 12:22

"He was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews."

• Joseph of Arimathea was a disciple of Jesus, yet he practiced his faith in secrecy due to fear of repercussions from the Jewish authorities.

• His secret discipleship highlights the risks associated with following Jesus during this time, showing the potential cost of faith in a hostile environment.

• This aspect of Joseph's character illustrates a compelling narrative of internal struggle between faith and societal pressure.

Joseph of Arimathea: A Secret Disciple Steps Forward 12:58

"Whatever fear Joseph of Arimathea had, he now musters up enough courage to go to Pontius Pilate and ask for a proper burial."

• Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the ruling council, faced significant risks in publicly associating with Jesus, including career ostracism and disconnection from Judaism. Despite being a believer, he had kept his faith secret due to fear.

• Critics of Joseph point out his initial silence regarding Jesus. However, many disciples, including Peter, John, and James, were not present during critical moments and were instead hiding from the Jews out of fear.

• Nonetheless, Joseph's decision to go public is a notable sign of growth in his discipleship, as he displays increasing courage by approaching Pontius Pilate to seek Jesus' body for burial.

• Discipleship involves a gradual process of growth, as underscored in 2 Peter 3:18, indicating that followers of Christ will develop in grace and knowledge over time.

The Challenge of Going Public in Faith 15:45

"There can be no such thing as secret discipleship, for either the secrecy destroys the discipleship, or the discipleship destroys the secrecy."

• Joseph's emergence from being a secret disciple illustrates a broader spiritual truth about faith: ultimately, one cannot remain a private believer indefinitely.

• In contemporary culture, there's a push for people to publicly identify with their beliefs and identities, yet many Christians remain silent. The call here is for those who are secretive about their faith to be more vocal and visible.

• Prayer and encouragement are directed at those who need a spiritual awakening to express their faith openly, especially in a society that promotes pride in diverse lifestyles.

The Gentle Nature of Joseph's Discipleship 17:30

"He wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. Notice the tenderness and respect."

• Joseph demonstrated gentleness in his approach to Jesus' body, wrapping it in a clean linen cloth, which signifies respect and care.

• Unlike other cultures, the Jews did not embalm their dead but instead anointed bodies with spices and buried them whole, reflecting their belief in a future resurrection.

• He likely received help in handling the body, with Nicodemus assisting him in the process, further emphasizing the community aspect of discipleship.

Gentleness and Boldness: The Dual Aspects of Character 19:28

"You can have gentle boldness. You can have bold gentility."

• Joseph exemplifies a unique combination of boldness and gentleness, showcasing that one can be both strong and compassionate in their actions.

• The concept of gentleness in Christianity is acknowledged as a virtue, with biblical references highlighting its importance, especially in the context of relationships with others.

• This duality is essential; believers are encouraged to be both assertive in their faith yet kind in their interactions, embodying the gentle strength exemplified by Jesus.

Generosity in Discipleship: Joseph’s Burial Gift 23:41

"He laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn out of the rock."

• Joseph's act of placing Jesus' body in his own newly prepared tomb demonstrates his generosity, as he risked his own resources to honor Jesus.

• This selfless act further solidifies his role as a disciple who not only believes but also demonstrates his faith through tangible actions.

• The partnership with Nicodemus, who brought significant spices for the burial, highlights a collective commitment to honoring Jesus, reinforcing the sense of community among disciples during challenging times.

Generosity of Joseph of Arimathea 25:09

"They generously gave... the world may not give you respect, but we will."

• Joseph of Arimathea, along with Nicodemus, demonstrated incredible generosity in their treatment of Jesus after his crucifixion. The significant amount of myrrh and spices they provided for Jesus' burial signified honor usually reserved for the wealthy or royalty.

• Their willingness to provide a tomb and the expensive burial items indicated a desire to treat Jesus as the King that he is, despite the disrespect he faced from others.

• This act of generosity aligns with the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which mentioned that Jesus would be buried with the wicked yet have a rich man's grave, showing lavish treatment even in death.

Characteristics of a Growing Disciple 27:02

"When a person grows as a follower of Jesus Christ, all three of these notable characteristics are true: they become more genuine, gentle, and generous."

• Joseph is depicted as a genuine, gentle, and generous disciple, willing to put aside his status and reputation in order to honor Jesus. His actions reflect the growth in his faith as a follower of Christ.

• The discourse emphasizes that authentic discipleship involves a transformation in one's heart, mind, and also finances. The generosity of Joseph and Nicodemus illustrated that God owned their hearts and lives.

• Acknowledging the need for Christians to fund ministry is crucial given the prevalence of funding for evil and darkness in the world. Supporting godly causes ensures that truth and righteousness can be promoted.

The Call for Financial Support for Ministry 28:11

"Evil is being funded all around us... unless truth and righteousness are funded by God's people, there will only be evil and darkness."

• There is an urgent need for support of ministry to counteract the funding of sinful and dark agendas in society. The speaker articulates that finances need to be redirected toward uplifting causes and ministries.

• The necessity of financial contributions is reinforced by remembering the resources expended for sharing the Gospel through various means, such as translations of the Bible and children's mission trips.

• Generosity is framed as a partnership with God and with others, empowering believers to contribute positively to the community and the world.

Act of Generosity and Community Impact 30:34

"We pray that you will use the finances that have been donated generously by your disciples this weekend."

• The speaker expresses a hope that the generosity shown during the special offering will translate into significant impacts, such as providing nutritious meals for children and sharing the love of God with those in need.

• The message emphasizes that the intention behind financial giving is to reach out and touch a hurting world, showcasing the community's collective commitment to doing good.

• The act of giving is framed not solely as an obligation but as a joyful response to the call of Jesus, who said that it is more blessed to give than to receive.