Mark 15:42-47 - With A Rich Man In His Death

Mark 15:42-47
42 When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were looking on to see where He was laid.

Message: With A Rich Man In His Death

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been crucified. He has breathed his last on the cross letting out a loud cry after feeling rejected by God, suffering the wrath of God during a dark time that fell over the face of the earth for 3 hours. Mark records the mocking of Him that occurred. And then calls attention to two women who followed Jesus and supported His ministry - Mary Magdalene and Mary his mother.

When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Jesus breathed His last breath after 3pm on Friday. It is the day before the Sabbath so their is preparation of food for Sabbath day. Enter Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Joseph is a member of the Sanhedrin and one such person who was a follower of Jesus and believed He was who He said He was. He believed Jesus was the messianic King promised. Matthew's gospel records Joseph as being a wealthy man. and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. Despite being a prominent man, he still gathered up courage in going in before Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. At this point, prior to the Sabbath, the body has probably been taken down off of the cross. Normally, crucified bodies were simply thrown into a ditch. Joseph goes to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus so that a proper burial can be performed. This is the only man that could go before Pilate. The disciples had fled at this point. He was well respected.

Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. Normally those who had been crucified might not have expired for 2 or 3 days. He sought the centurion's confirmation as the centurion who also confessed Jesus as the Son of God, was responsible of watching the crucifixion and ensuring it was going properly and the body was not tampered with. Pilate confirms with him, an outside source, on whether Jesus is in fact dead. But, it was also important that His burial occur today, one to fulfill scripture, and also to do this work before the Sabbath. And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Pilate freely gave the body to Joseph, perhaps out of respect, but also perhaps out of compassion. While declaring Jesus to be put to death Mark also states that there was some sort of question by Pilate as to why Jesus was being put to death.

Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Joseph has the means to buy a fine linen cloth. He took Him down and wrapped Him in the cloth and proceeded to sprinkle myrrh probably on him. This was a delicate wrapping as He then lays Him in a tomb. This rock was probably a place reserved for himself to be buried. He had hewn it out previously. He places Jesus in this special place. Jesus dies with the wicked but is buried with the rich.

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph were looking on to see where He was laid. Albert Barnes records these words:

The affection of these pious females never forsook them, in all the trials and sufferings of their Lord. With true love they followed him to the cross; they came as near to him as they were permitted to come in his last moments; they followed him when taken down and laid in the tomb. The strong, the mighty, the youthful, had fled; but female love never forsook him, even in his deepest humiliation. This is the nature of true love; it is strongest in such scenes. While "professed" attachment will abound in prosperity and live most in sunshine, it is only genuine love that will go into the dark shades of adversity and flourish there. In scenes of poverty, want, affliction, and death, it shows its genuineness. That which lives there is genuine. That which turns away from such scenes is spurious.

Summary - These sets of verses describe the taking of Jesus' body and placing it in the tomb, wrapping it with a linen cloth by Joseph, one of the respected members of the Sanhedrin, who believed Jesus was the Messiah and was awaiting the Messianic kingdom. Joseph takes care of this burial, prior to the Sabbath and takes Jesus to a nice cave he has probably carved out himself. Mary Magdalene and Mary, His mother, look on.

Promise: Tabletalk of December 6, 2016 - Though Jesus was condemned to death like a common criminal, Jesus enjoyed a magnificent burial of which no lawbreaker could be worthy.

Prayer: Lord, you deserve a great burial as you did not deserve to be crucified. God you ordered these events to occur as they did and they fulfill your prophetic word. You are concerned about the details of our lives as you were of Jesus' death. Thank you for faithful men like Joseph and faithful women like Mary Magdalene and Mary. Help me to be careful and provide you what you deserve.