After this [Jesus’ death], Joseph, who was from the town of Arimathea, asked Pilate if he could take Jesus’ body. (Joseph was a follower of Jesus, but in secret, because he was afraid of the Jewish authorities.) Pilate told him he could have the body, so Joseph went and took it away. (John 19:38)
Courage of Heroes
Many heroes stand out in a crowd as brash, egotistical, and muscular. They can do superhuman feats, it seems.
The Olympics, though, highlights true heroes and heroines who enter their race with integrity and humility. Their tears when they win—or when they don’t—testify that they’re in this for reasons of the heart.
Joseph, a wealthy man who had a great deal to lose by choosing to support Jesus, qualifies as an unobtrusive hero.
A hero or heroine displays courage, bravery or self-sacrifice for some greater good in the face of danger or adversity.
Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph, a member of the Jewish Council and a secret disciple of Jesus, watched for the kingdom of God. He appears in all four Gospels, and his act of burying Jesus in the tomb he’d prepared for his own body garners our attention.
In order to accomplish this feat, Joseph asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. Nicodemus helped Joseph, and we can imagine the two of them carrying their load to the tomb.
They’d witnessed Jesus’ wise dealings with the Pharisees and Saducees, heard His teachings, and in spite of their fear of retribution from the powers that be, they believed.
Quiet Heroes
They weren’t bold about their faith, some might say, but the burial of Jesus catapults them into heroism. They had every reason to slink into the shadows with the rest of Jesus’ disciples. Every reason not to do what they did that night. The High Priest’s henchmen were about, scanning for followers of Jesus.
But in a quiet, thoughtful way, Joseph and Nicodemus completed their work of love. A few women paid attention, and risked their lives, too, revealing their devotion to the Savior.
Prayer
Help us, Lord, in our everyday challenges, to display courage.
A passionate reader, I began writing as a young girl. After graduating from college, I became a teacher. Over the course of my career, I taught high schoolers, college undergraduates, and public school teachers how to write personal narratives, expository and persuasive essays, as well as poetry and short fiction. I continued to write: publishing professional articles, two textbooks, short stories, and poetry. In 2013, I won first place in Romantic Suspense in the ACFW Genesis Contest.
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