Cravings are something that all of us have experienced at some point in our lives. It is that strong desire to have or experience something. It may be a food. When I was expecting our boys, I did not experience a lot of cravings like my friends when they were pregnant, but I do remember one in particular. We were watching a baseball game, and they advertised Mars candy bars. I thought I had to have one, so I headed off to a local grocery store. This store did not have any Mars candy bars, so I bought one of every kind. I ate until I was sick to my stomach, but still my craving wasn’t satisfied.
When I read the passage in Mark 15:43, I am struck by the wording used to describe Joseph’s asking for Jesus’ body. The word used is craving, which in Greek means a strong desire. He loved Jesus and was going to bury Jesus where he had planned to be buried. The Bible describes him as an honorable counsellor. Commentators say the word honorable is not just a title but is given in reference to his personal character. Scholars believe he was a distinguished man who held a high office and possibly a Jewish senator.
Joseph went to Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus. Think about what God had orchestrated at this time. All the disciples had left for fear of their own lives; however, they would have had no influence with Pilate. If God had not placed this man at this time and this place, Jesus would have been buried that night in the same grave with all the other crucified criminals. Jewish law would forbid an executed man’s body to be on the cross on the Sabbath.
Joseph was in the right place at the right time. He was there because he loved Jesus. He craved His body because he loved Him. With this kind of desire and love for Jesus, it must have hurt him deeply to see Him crucified. In John 19:38, John reveals that Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. He feared the Jews, but now his love had propelled him to show his love publicly. No longer could he hide in the shadows; now, everyone would know how he felt about Jesus.
Mark 15:43 “Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.”
John 19:38 “And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, 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.”
I find this account of Joseph to be very moving and convicting. He was willing to risk everything to gain the body of Jesus. In his culture, a follower of Jesus would be risking his position, his wealth, and possibly the relationship with his family. So, I ask this question: How much do you crave Jesus? We in America have the freedom to worship whomever, or whatever we desire. No one will be at our door to kill us or imprison us for our love for Christ. It costs us nothing to be a follower of Christ!
Do you crave Him enough to give up activities that conflict with church services where you can be challenged, fed the word, and encouraged to press forward for Him? Church is a place where you have a new family. In the Bible, other believers are called brethren, brothers, and sisters in Christ. We are bound by a blood that is stronger than any earthly blood. We are bound by the blood of Jesus. Why would you not choose to be with this family over the things of this world? Do you crave the study of God’s word? Are you eager to meet with Him every morning when you wake up, or is your first thought to rush to meet the challenges of the day? Do you crave Him so much that you are willing to give up an extra thirty minutes of sleep to spend time with Him? A true craving for Jesus will change everything about you. He will be the first thing on your mind when you wake. He will be the one you say a silent prayer to when you want to tell others about Him. He will be the one you think about when a problem arises, when a tragedy occurs, a child is wayward, or a family member is dying. The more you crave Him, the more you will feel that nothing matters but pleasing Him.
Just like all those candy bars I bought, nothing can be substituted for Him. I ate all the candy I could hold and still wanted a Mars bar. All the other candy did was make me sick and cause me to long for what I had craved. Music, activities, fellowship, or even preaching are necessary and good, but they cannot satisfy your soul; their satisfaction will only last a short while.
How much do you crave Him today? It is Sunday morning where I am. If you crave Him, be in church, worship service, Sunday School, or whatever you call your time of study together. Stop checking a box and feeling like you have done your duty. Do not convince yourself you crave Him when you are living in disobedience. John 14:15 makes it clear. If we love Him, we will obey
Excellent