Mark 15:42-47

Bringing the sermon home:

The account of Jesus’s death by crucifixion concludes with His burial in a tomb, an honor not normally permitted to men crucified by the Romans as treasonous rebels. With Jesus’s twelve closest disciples having either betrayed Him, openly denied Him, or otherwise deserted Him, it is surprising that anyone would come forward to make this request of Pilate, especially a member of the Sanhedrin.

Joseph of Arimathea is being presented to us as an example to follow in two main ways. First, he is presented as someone who is “looking for the kingdom of God”. In the midst of life in this broken world, we too are to be looking beyond this world to the kingdom that has still yet to come. And not only that, but we are to be looking for the advancement of that kingdom in the hearts and lives of people here and now as we help them to know and serve our crucified-yet-risen King.

Secondly, like Joseph, who had formerly been afraid to identify as a disciple of Jesus (Jn 19:38), we too must “take courage” to boldly identify as citizens of Christ’s kingdom in a world that is hostile to His reign. This has been a consistent theme throughout the second half of Mark’s Gospel, ever since Jesus first announced that He had come to die and that anyone who is ashamed to take up their cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple (8:34-38).

Finally, while Joseph is being presented as an example in these ways, he is also being presented as someone who has not yet found what he's looking for. He doesn’t realize that the One he’s wrapping in a linen shroud and sealing in a tomb is the King of that sought-after kingdom. We must all accept that our King died to purchase our citizenship.

Outline:

1. Look for the kingdom of God to come. (vv.42-43a)
2. Boldly identify as a citizen of that kingdom now. (vv.43b-45)
3. Accept that your King died to purchase your citizenship. (vv.46-47)