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Mark

Mark 
Day 
Day 337

Acts 4:30 "By stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." Acts 4:30"

Day 337 – Mark 15

“By stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30

ANOTHER WORTHY FOLLOWER

Mark noted another worthy person in the following text.

“Now when evening had come, because it was
the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member,
Who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God,
coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked
for the body of Jesus.”
MARK 15:42-43

1. Joseph of Arimathea

He was identified by name. Obviously, he was not afraid to be identified. He also appeared to have a surname by way of location (“locative surname”). This was the new name for the more famous name Ramah (the home town of the prophet Samuel). There were many who went by the name Joseph; this one was surnamed Arimathea because he came from the famous and ancient city of Ramah.

2. Distinguishing features

Mark went on to honour Joseph of Arimathea with the following words:-

a) A prominent council member
Luke also paid high compliments to Joseph of Arimathea. A comparison of the text found in Luke’s Gospel.

“Now behold, there was a man name Joseph, a council member,
a good and just man. He had not consented to their decision
and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews,
who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.”
LUKE 23:50-51

b) A good and just man
Not all Sanhedrin Council members were like the high priest and his cronies! Joseph of Arimathea stood in obvious contrast to the other wicked councilors.
c) He had not consented to their decision and deed
The Sanhedrin Council did not have a full vote the day it condemned Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea did not consent to the motion of condemnation of Jesus!
c) Took courage
It would take some courage to do what Joseph attempted. In asking for the body of Jesus, he would have caused the majority of the Sanhedrin Council members to be angry with him. Joseph stood up against them once. He was not afraid to stand up to them again! This kind of courage was rare and must indeed receive honorable mention.