JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA WAS A GOOD MAN

By James W. Shear

he word "good" is an adjective. It is a word that we learned early in life. A thing was either "good" or "bad." An adjective cannot stand alone and we soon learned to tie it to other things (to qualify or limit a noun). The adjective "good" seemed to be handy when we wanted to describe a person and no other adjective was available, so we began to use it loosely. Because of this it has lost much of its character and now is associated with women of ill repute, and the fellow who brings the beer, as well as "good ole Mr. Wilson" next door.

od held this word "good" in high regard, and as far as He was concerned it was not to be associated with just anyone. He uses the word very sparingly, and then only when it qualified the person exactly as it should. Consequently we only find two times in the New Testament that God referred to an individual as "a good man."

ornelius did not have this word from the lips of God, though he had many traits that would seem to justify its use. Neither did any of the greats of faith such as Peter and Paul. Those that God allowed to associate with the word "good" were two men who were not so prominent, yet the quality of these men stands out in our minds. These two men are Barnabas and Joseph of Arimathea. Of course more is said of Barnabas since he was a companion of Paul.

owever, let us consider Joseph of Arimathea and see why God lavished this wonderful praise on him and labeled him "a good man." (See Luke 23:50-53; Matt. 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-46; John 19:38-42.)

oseph of Arimathea lived on the pages of God's Divine record only for a fleeting moment. But for that moment, we can see some of the characteristics that would cause God to let his name be associated with the word "good."

t is said of Joseph that he "waited for the kingdom of God" (Mark 15:43). The word "wait" as used here means: "To look with a view to favorable reception." It is so used in Luke 2:25; 12:36; 23:51. (W. E. Vine)

hen I was a boy it was hard for me to wait. If something exciting was to happen the next day it was hard for me to sleep that night. I sometimes now become impatient and want something good to happen overnight. I well understand why Peter said we are to give all diligence to add to our other virtues patience (2 Pet. 1:5-11).

et us be not anxious, and learn to wait. Wait a little while, at least, until we expect a child to have the wisdom of a man. Wait a little while for the newborn babe in Christ to learn to speak as the oracles of God and not use such terms as "our church," and "join the church," and many other blunders one fed with milk might make. If we learn to wait, we will be less likely to have an ungodly attitude and deal out harsh criticism as if we are more concerned with showing how sound we are in the faith. Let us always teach the truth in a kind way and in such a way that lets offenders know that we are interested in their welfare. Paul did not write Heb. 5:12 to newborn babes in Christ. He had given them time (waited), and even then he dealt kindly with them.

et us learn to wait for deliverance in time of suffering (Rom. 8:17-19). Let us learn to wait for the Lord to hear our prayers as did David (Psalm 40:1; 65:1, 5) and to work things to our good according to His promise (Rom. 8:28). Joseph could wait and God said he was "a good man."

o doubt, like others, he had "trusted that it had been He which should have redeemed Israel" (Luke 24:21). Yet, he was not bitter. He would not let it keep him from doing for Jesus what he could. What child of God has not reached the point at some time or other where he wanted to quit and perhaps had to fight hard to keep from becoming bitter? Let us remember Joseph of Arimathea who must have felt all the disappointments that we can feel, and yet did not let it keep him from doing good.

he disciples scattered. Peter cursed and swore and denied Christ, but Joseph of Arimathea stood. The next time you want to use the adjective "good" to describe a man, ask yourself the question: "Is he the kind of man that will stand for that which is right even if he has to stand alone?" Joseph was that kind of man.

atthew states (27:57-60) that it was "his own new tomb" in which he lay the body of Jesus. What a wonderful attitude and disposition of mind for us to develop toward the material blessings over which we are stewards. This attitude will cause us to bear one another's burdens (Gal. 6:2), as well as "communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things." The contribution on the Lord's Day would not suffer and there would be more to do the Lord's work. Let us ask ourselves the question: "Does God consider me good on this point?" If not, the fault is mine, and mine alone.

any would have fainted at the thought of going before Pilate and requesting the body of Christ. We understand the difficulty more when we consider that Pilate, only a few hours before, had had Him put to death to please the Jews. In Matt. 19:23 Jesus points out that it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven. He would not let that difficulty stand in his way. He "waited for the kingdom of God" (Luke 23:50-53).

hen difficulties come and seem to stand between us and the goals before us, let us use them as stepping stones instead of hindrances. Each mountain we climb will make us a little stronger and in better shape to confront the next.

ohn tells us that he and Nicodemus worked together (John 19:39-40). This is true fellowship. It is "sharing in common" (W. E. Vine). Not all will do this but what a wonderful condition the church would be in if all could work together, and each supply what he could to the effort. (See 1 Cor. 12:14-26.)

uke tells us that he was just. To say that he was just is to say that he would do that which was right. After telling us that Joseph was just, Luke states that he did not consent to the council and their deed. He had nothing to do with the council condemning Jesus and the evidence points to the fact that he stayed away from the council that was called together. Wouldn't it be great if all of us could be depended on to do that which was right? We would not knowingly misrepresent one another, be unfair, or do anything that was wrong to anyone. We could be depended on to deal fairly with both God and man and we would stand for that which is right. Joseph was that kind of man.

 am sure that much more could be said of this good man. However, this should be enough for us to appreciate him a little more and to be a little more careful how we use the word "good." Had he not had these good characteristics we no doubt would never have heard of him. These characteristics are within the reach of all who are willing to put forth some effort to obtain them. And since God is no respecter of persons we will be able to hear Him say in that day: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." What a wonderful compliment from the lips of the Lord. & [From Vanguard Magazine, Vol. 1, Number 7]