Joseph of ArimatheaSýnishorn

Partnership  

He was accompanied by Nicodemus. - John 19:39, NIV 

When Joseph took action and responsibility for the body of Christ, he did not act alone. He had help and support from Nicodemus. They were colleagues, and perhaps friends, but what bound them together now was the undeniable effect that Jesus had had upon both of their lives. After seeking permission for Jesus’ body and it being granted from Pilate, Joseph enlisted another secret disciple to help him perform the burial rituals. They formed a partnership. 

There is extraordinary power in the imagery of these two prominent men honouring the life of Jesus together. Not only did they help each other carry the weight of the body of Christ, they also helped each other carry the grief they both experienced. Joseph knew he couldn’t do it on his own. He knew he needed help, and he asked for it. From beginning to end, their partnership can serve as a signal to us that the body of Christ is best served when we do so together. Unity and interconnectedness matter to God. What if the missing ingredient for changing the world is partnership? 

Partnerships are necessary for mission, maturity, and momentum. Our mission from Jesus is to take the gospel to our communities and the nations, to both Jerusalem and to the ends of the earth (Matthew 28:19). How could any of us do that alone? But if we can organize ourselves properly and relationally around a common purpose, we can contribute meaningfully to the mission. 

We all have different things we can contribute to the overall mission. Whether it’s financially or prayerfully, our time or our energy, together our mission can be healthier, stronger, and more sustainable. In terms of maturity, we will not reach our full maturity in Christ without outside perspective and input. Joseph and Nicodemus teamed up together, because partnership provides support and synergy. 

We need to find new ways to drive collaborative innovation, bound together by the Holy Spirit with the common goal of glorifying Jesus. Partnership matters. As Joseph and Nicodemus climbed the outcrop of Golgotha, as they stared at one another and strategized about who would do what, never could they have imagined the power that would come from the tomb in which they placed the dead body of Jesus. Their obedience and interaction with one another set the stage for the greatest miracle ever known.