Resurrection Risk

Mark 15:33-16:20

He took a risk.

Other translations say of Joseph of Arimathea in Mark 15:43 that he went boldly (NIV), that he gathered up courage (NAS) to go to Pilate and ask for the remains of an executed criminal (when the common practice was to throw such a body unburied out into some pauper's field).

I think took a risk captures it. The original language expression carries the sense of "bringing oneself to some brave conclusion".

What was the risk Joseph took? Well, quite a lot. He risked complete ostracization, bankruptcy of social standing and position. He risked being lambasted with ridicule for being so duped by a charlatan criminal. How could such an intelligent educated man be so taken-in?! By association with Jesus he could lose it all, and he had much to lose. Joseph was a wealthy man (Mt 27:57), and not only part of the 71-member Jewish supreme court, but prominent in it (v43).

So why does Joseph take such a risk?! Both Matthew and John tell us that Joseph was not merely sympathetic toward Jesus, he was a believer and follower of Him. Though, interestingly, before this time he had followed Jesus secretly because he feared the Jews (Jn 19:38). Before this crux he had loved Jesus, but had not been wont to go public with that loyalty, apparently for all he stood to lose.

So why risk now, when Jesus is dead?! Was his the risk of hopelessness, the wanton desperate act of a man with hope so demolished that whatever happened no longer mattered?! Was it the social-suicidal act of a person who had nothing more to live for? Is Joseph now moved from intimidation to risk-taker because of hopelessness?

Or is his risk inspired by just the contrary: an absolute, unqualified, all-self-invested Hope?! Does Joseph essentially become the character in one of Jesus' stories (Mt 13) -- the guy who uncovers the extraordinary Pearl, and then goes and sells out, everything he owns, to buy that field to have that Pearl?

I believe Joseph's risk is the latter. It is not the risk of desperation, but it is what we might call the "Resurrection Risk".

It is believing because of resurrection that a life given to worship, service, godliness, prayer, sacrifice, witness... is worth it. It is the risk that believes and goes forward knowing that in many eyes (cf I Cor. 15:12-19): my preaching is useless, my faith is futility, I am living a lie, I am no more forgiven than any, all is lost at death, and I am more pitiable than any other creature on earth. Because of resurrection, I know none of that is so. The Resurrection Risk is that risk that believes healing can come to the human mind, the body may mend, any disease may be dispensed, every prayer is heard, any people group may become His, any dead marriage can live, any stray child may yet be found, the hardest of hearts may melt, any sin may be forgiven and divinely forgotten.

And, it is not gullible optimism that makes me think the better and not the worse of Joseph's risk. It is the evidence.

It is that Joseph laid Jesus in his own tomb. A new unused tomb at that (one only a wealthy prominent man might procure and hold for his own noble exit from life). Why would Joseph put Jesus' body in his grave?!

Resurrection Risk.

This was Joseph's confession of hope: "Jesus has taken my place in death! Who needs a new unused tomb anyway?! I won't ultimately be needing it. It is plain to me now that place won't be my final chapter, but just the briefest intermission before I am on to better things."

"And besides, it's not like my tomb will be crowded with Jesus in it. I expect it in a couple days to be gloriously vacant."

"Today, living Jesus, let me live with Resurrection Risk."

PPaul