June 29, 2016
EQUIPPED WITH COURAGE TO SERVE
Mark 15:42–47
Jill Moore
Central Truth
When we trust in God through Christ, He gives us courage to take risks in serving Him so that we can participate in His master plan.
Key Verse | Mark 15:43
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. (Mark 15:43)
Mark 15:42–47
Jesus Is Buried
42 And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. 1 15:44 Or Pilate wondered whether he had already died And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. 45 And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. 46 And Joseph 2 15:46 Greek he bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Dive Deeper | Mark 15:42–47
Good morning, Journeymen! Today’s passage is short in length, but rich in substance. We meet Joseph of Arimathea, a man mentioned only in the story of Christ’s burial, but in each of the four Gospel accounts. What do we learn about Joseph of Arimathea from Scripture? Here in the book of Mark, we see that he is a respected man—a member of the council (the Sanhedrin—the group of religious leaders who called for Jesus’ crucifixion). We also see he needed courage to go before Pilate with his request for Jesus’ body. The Gospel of John says he followed Christ secretly because he feared the Jews. Luke’s account says he was good, righteous, and disagreed with the Sanhedrin’s call to crucify Christ. Matthew tells of his wealth and that he laid Jesus in his own new tomb which he had cut in the rock.
In Mark 15:43, the words "took courage" stand out to me. Joseph is compelled to go to Pilate to ask for Christ’s body so he may prepare the Lord's body for burial. This is a bold, loving move that may risk his position in society and his reputation as a Jewish leader. Being fearful as he went, he took courage from God. Joseph asked. Pilate consented. Then, Joseph used what he had, a private tomb, to meet a need for Christ and to bless his Savior. And because he did, God allowed Joseph to participate in His work.
I have also struggled with fear, and, like Joseph of Arimathea, I need courage in my life. Until I learned to surrender my fearful thoughts to Christ, seeking His will for what my mind should dwell on, I missed out on the abundant life He had waiting for me. Now, instead of submitting to my fears, I can trust in His provision of courage and serve Him in ways I never thought possible! My heart experiences a "spiritual rush" when God allows me to take part in what He is doing around me. I imagine that even in his grief Joseph must have also received joy as he served Christ with courage.
Discussion Questions
1. Are you in need of courage today in any area of your life? What can you learn about taking courage from Joseph's example as he was "looking for the kingdom of God" (verse 43)?
2. Do you know the Bible promises that when we trust Christ as our Savior, He gives us everything we need for a godly life? You can read this amazing truth in 2 Peter 1:3.
3. What resources have you been given that could uniquely be used to serve and honor the Lord Jesus?
4. John 19:38 says Joseph of Arimathea was a "disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews." Could these words be used to describe you in any way? Does fear ever tempt you to be quiet about your faith when you are around certain people or groups? If so, how can you replace fear with courage?