The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-03-31


Messiah had been appointed among the
wicked-that is to say, the purpose was that
he should be buried with contempt, in some
infamous place among the malefactors, but
he was found among the rich after his death. "
The rich referred to in this prophecy were
Joseph of Arimathea and Ncodemus. OF
the former of these | now design to speak
more particularly.
He is said to be "of Arimathea." This,
according to Luke, was town of Judea,
and is located by some between LYDIA and
Joppa. Others suppose it to be the same
as Ramah which was situated on hill be-
tween Joppa and Jerusalem.
Ue is further described as man of wealth
and elevated position, filling an honorable
post either in the Sanhedrin or City council
of Jerusalem, which was composed of twen-
ty-three persons. He is styled by one of
the Evangelists "an honorable counsellor.
And further, he is described by the same
high authority, as "a good man and just.
Neither his wealth nor rank had made him
proud, supercilious, unjust or ungenerous.
On the contrary, he was so far consderate
of the rights and claims of others, that he
would not consent to the deed of the Sa-
viour's enemies. He did not appear in the
council when the whole body united in the
condemnation of Jesus, or being present, as
| presume he was, he gave his solitary vote
against that sentence. This was just, manly
and brave. But all this he might have done
as impelled by natural conscience, or by
natural sense of justice, as bad men some
times do. Hence Luke says, he was both a
just and good man, observing distinction
subsequently made by the apostle Paul in
his epistle to the Romans when he says
" For when we were without strength, in due
time, Christ died for the ungodly For
scarcely for righteous man will one die:
yet peradventure for good man some would
even dare to die. But God commendeth his
love toward us in that while we were vet
sinners, Christ died for u.s." The Jews were
accustomed to divide men into three classes:
just men, good men, and sinners. Sinners
were those who perpetually did all they
could to injure and oppress others. Just
men were those who, content with what they
possessed, were duly considerate of the rights
of others, while none were good, but such as
generously contributed to supply the wants
and alleviate the suferings of Others Now
Joseph was not onl y just, never wronging,
never defrauding, nor expressing others, but
he was good, that is to say, benevolent and
generous to others. He was just, as he did
not consent to our Saviours death, and he
was good in doing what he did to honor the
body of one who had died upon the cross,
despised and rejected of men, in assisting
with his own hands to remove that body
from the cross, and in contributing largely
from his own purse to defray the expense
of its decent burial
But other and better things still are said
of him. The Evangelist John afirms that
he was a disciple of Jesus. From this we
learn that he regarded Christ as a teacher
sent from God, whose doctrines were true
and excellent, being in strict accordance
with the teachings of Moses and the pro-
phets. As such he approved those doctrines.
He embraced them, and thus became not
only hearer, but doer of the word of
Christ.
And yet Joseph was not faultless. He
was but man of like passions with others.
John adds to what [ have already quoted
from him, brief but significant phrase, to
which we shall all do well to take heed as
unto very seasonable and serviceable warn
ing. But this must be reserved for another
number. Meantime let us ponder what has
been already stated as source of encour-
agement and comfort. w. S. w.