THE ADVOCATE OF CHRIST
The advocate of Christ’s case was Saint Joseph of Arimathea. We all know the Easter story. But, we never knew much about the Saint who buried the Holy Body of Christ. Burial of crucified at that time was not an easy task. Dead bodies were used to hung on the crosses or trees for weeks. Deceased bodies were used as meal for wild animals. There were two types of graveyards at that time — one for the common people and the other for the criminals declared by the court. But, Christ was buried in a private tomb of a wealthy man named Joseph of Arimathea. This event fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9:
And they made his grave with the wicked
wand with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
According to the Gospel of Mark Joseph of Arimathea was “a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God”; and Luke 23:50–56 adds that he “had not consented to their decision and action”.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea was a secret disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a member of the religious council who monitored social and religious issues of the society. The very council which gave the decision for the Crucifixion of Christ. He gave the vote against the crucifixion of Jesus. But, the majority wanted Barabbas to be saved and Christ to be sentenced to death. Although higher authorities like Pilate Pontius and his wife wanted to save Christ. Pilate’s wife sent an urgent message to her husband’; ‘I had a troubling dream. Do not have anything to do with this man.’ But, due to the mobs’ pressure and demand Christ was put into crucifixion. According to the Gospel of Matthew Pontius Pilate ‘washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person.’ This was to show the crowd he did not want Jesus dead but ordered his death because that is what the people wanted.
Saint Joseph of Arimathea advocated the case of Christ. He argued and convinced Pilate to give Jesus his tomb. The council of Pharisees insisted Pilate put a military guard on the tomb where Jesus’s body will be laid. Because Jesus Christ’s disciples could steal the body and claim His resurrection from the dead. Saint Joseph of Arimathea won the argument bravely although Jesus was a blasphemer in Pharisees’ eyes. At that time — 3 days were the last time for any magician to raise a person from death. After 3 days, Israelites believed that even the soul gets out from the body. But, our savior Jesus Christ defeated death after 3 days. Saint Joseph of Arimathea carried two flasks containing Jesus’s sweat and blood. Nicodemus his fellow council member also a secret disciple of Jesus joined him for the burial of Jesus Christ. Nicodemus also voted against Jesus’s crucifixion. But, this all has to be done as it was prophesied centuries ago. Jesus Christ fulfilled numerous prophecies written in the Old Testament. This was the advocacy of Saint Joseph of Arimathea for Jesus case.
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