Joseph, Old and New

Summary: Joseph and Mary welcome Jesus into this world. A different Joseph and Mary also lay Jesus to rest.

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47 NIV)

While reading through the gospels this year, I noticed an interesting parallel: Joseph appears at the beginning and the end of Jesus' life.

More than one Mary appear as well, true, but they also appear throughout the gospel narratives. Joseph, on the other hand, only appears as a notable character twice—once, as Jesus' father, and once, as Jesus' follower.

Once we notice these parallel characters, we also notice the other parallels between Jesus' birth and Jesus' burial:

• Jesus was born and buried in a place he had no claim to.
• Mary laid Jesus in a manger. Joseph laid Jesus in his tomb.
• Mary wrapped Jesus in swaddling clothes. Joseph wrapped Jesus in burial linens.
• Joseph and Mary risked public shame by raising Jesus. Joseph and Mary risked public shame by burying Jesus.
• Jesus' birth and burial are connected directly to the Roman rulers of the time. Caesar dictates Jesus' birthplace. Pilate allows Jesus to be buried.
• Speculatively, it's possible that Jesus was born in a cave (serving as a stable). Jesus was buried in a man-made cave.

So often in studying scripture, we tend to focus on application rather than appreciation. But when we think of scripture as storytelling—indeed, the Great Story—it's worthwhile to note just how the storytellers craft their stories. 

I don't think it's an accident that the man who was bold enough to ask for Jesus' body shares the name of the man who fathered Jesus as a child...I think it's the work of Someone who loves a good story.