There is a mysterious man in scripture named Joseph of Arimathea. The only time we see him is during the burial of Christ. We know he was secretly a disciple of Jesus and a wealthy man. He was a prominent member of the council and did not agree with the plans to murder Jesus. Since he was a prominent member, we can assume Pilate knew him, so when he asked permission to take down Jesus’ body, Pilate gave it to him (Mt 27:57; Mk 15:43; Lk 23:41; Jn 19:38). .
Joseph bought the necessary linen to wrap Jesus body for burial. His friend Nicodemus, also a member of the council, brought 100 pounds of a spice mixture made from myrrh and aloes. Together they prepared the body of Jesus and placed it in Joseph’s personal tomb (Mt 29:59).
Though this man was only written about once, and we never hear of him again, he had a part in the fulfillment of prophecy. Isaiah 53:9 prophesied about the Messiah, ”…they made his grave with the wicked—but with the rich in his death.” Jesus was crucified between two robbers yet buried in a rich man’s tomb.
When Joseph’s mother gave birth to him, I doubt she had any inkling that her son would fulfill an ancient prophesy. Neither do we know what God will accomplish through us. We are not required to know. We need only follow him and he will accomplish through us whatever he has planned.
