Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph was a very rich man in a high position of authority. He belonged to the Jewish Council which had condemned Jesus to death. However, Luke is clear in telling us that “the same [Joseph] had not consented to the counsel and deed of them.” After Jesus had died on the cross, Joseph, a “good man, and a just,” came to Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus in order to bury Him. After Pilate commanded the body to be given to him, Joseph took it and wrapped it in a “clean linen cloth.” Then Joseph laid the body “in his own new tomb which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre” and went home.
Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus (John 19:3838And after this Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. (John 19:38)). But because of the events of the Lord’s trial and crucifixion, he counted the cost and chose to be identified with Jesus rather than those wicked men who had condemned Him to death. Because of this, he had the inestimable privilege of fulfilling a prophecy that was made hundreds of years before, that Jesus Christ would have His grave with the rich (Isaiah 53:99And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. (Isaiah 53:9)). Joseph had the privilege of burying the Lord in his own private tomb.
Joseph did not let riches and position weigh him down and prevent him from doing what was right, even though it might cost him his place in the Council. He had put his faith and trust in the One whose dying words on the cross were “It is finished” (John 19:3030When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. (John 19:30)). The mighty work of redemption for our sins was accomplished by Jesus’ death on the cross. There was nothing more to be done for our soul’s salvation because Jesus was the perfect, sinless sacrifice for us, and God has accepted it. “[You] were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold  ...  but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Do not let anything keep you from the love of Jesus and God’s way of salvation! Don’t let riches and possessions, position and power, or your sins take you down to the pit of hell. Be like Joseph and put your faith in the saving work that Jesus did on the cross for your sins, and you can be certain of having eternal life. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)).