What about Joseph of Arimathea? The only time we hear his name is in the burial of Christ. No one is sure where Arimathea was located. Somehow, Joseph was part of the Sanhedrin based in Jerusalem. Perhaps it was his money. Having a tomb hewn out of the rock was a sure sign of his wealth. Maybe it was his love for his God. We also know this to be true.
Mark tells us two things about this Joseph. First, he was waiting for the kingdom of God. This was the kind of “waiting” that characterizes Old Testament believers in the Messiah. The waiting is not docile; it is filled with expectancy, as when someone waits for the anticipated fulfillment of a promise.
The same word was used for other OT believers in Jesus’ day. Simeon was waiting for the consolation of Israel (Lk. 2:25). He even said the Lord told him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah, the Lord’s Christ. Anna was part of a group that was waiting for the redemption of Israel (Lk. 2:38). Think about these people, waiting for the kingdom of God, the consolation of Israel, and the redemption of Israel. They were all waiting for the Lord’s Christ. He was/is all those things!
· He was Israel’s King. Being the Son of David, anointed by God to rule the nations from Zion (Psalm 2), Jesus was “the King of the Jews” whose initial message was to declare, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mk. 1:15).
· He was Israel’s consolation. When Isaiah announced “comfort” for the people of Israel and to Jerusalem (Isa. 40:1-2) he immediately assured them by prophesying the coming of the Messiah. “Behold your God” (40:9). “His arm shall rule for Him … He will feed His flock like a shepherd” (40:10-11). This prophecy continues through the end of Isaiah in Ch. 66!
· He was Israel’s redeemer. He was the first-born who would redeem God’s people (Ex. 12). And He was the Kinsman-Redeemer who would become one of us so that He might give His life as the ransom for our liberty (Ruth 1-4; Heb. 2).
We have said that this characterized OT believers, this “waiting” expectantly for God’s promised Savior, the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15). But what about NT believers? Are we characterized by this waiting? Yes! The same word is used in Titus 2:11-14: … teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ .” And again in Jude 1:20-21: But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. As in the OT, so in the NT, we cannot live a victorious life without hope, without an eye on the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!
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