Sharper Iron — The Gospel in Action: Even There I’ll Sleep Secure

Rev. Matt Wietfeldt, Director of Admissions and the Christ Academy program at Concordia Theological Seminary in Ft. Wayne, IN, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Mark 15:42-47.

St. Mark continues his slow, detailed account through the events of Jesus’ passion as he records Jesus’ burial. Because Jesus died and was buried on Good Friday, His prediction of His third day resurrection remains intact. As a member of the Sanhedrin who is also rich, Joseph of Arimathea seems like an unlikely disciple of Jesus. Yet he, like Simeon, Anna, and other saints, is looking for the kingdom of God in Jesus. Through Spirit-given boldness, Joseph takes a political and religious risk in asking Pilate for permission to bury Jesus. Pilate’s surprise at Jesus’ death is due to its speed; crucifixion often took days. The investigation that happens assures us that Jesus did, in fact, die. Joseph shows great care and love in his burial of his Lord. The women see the precise location of Jesus’ tomb, establishing them as faithful witnesses. Jesus’ burial gives us Christians the comfort that He will raise us from our graves on the Last Day.

“The Gospel in Action” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Gospel according to St. Mark. The Evangelist hits the ground running with the very first verse of his Gospel account, and he never lets up the pace. As one deed of Jesus comes right after another, always paired with His authoritative Word, St. Mark proclaims the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, revealed conclusively by His death on the cross.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Mark 15:42-47

Jesus Is Buried

⁴²And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, ⁴³Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died.^[a] And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. ⁴⁵And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. ⁴⁶And Joseph^[b] bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. ⁴⁷Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

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Footnotes

Mark 15:44 Or Pilate wondered whether he had already died
Mark 15:46 Greek he

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).