57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Rich Terherst
Harvest Church – Concord CA
Observation: All four gospels record that a disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. John 19:38 says that Joseph “being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate.” Mark 15:43 says that, “taking courage, he went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Joseph took courage and pressed through his fear to make known his secret that he was a disciplined follower of faith in Jesus. He gave his own tomb for the burial of the Lord.
I have been to Jerusalem and seen the garden tomb with smooth and polished stone hewn out of the rock. Where the body lay, there are rough chisel and pick marks at the feet where the length was hastily extended. Evidently, Jesus was taller than Joseph. At great personal sacrifice, Joseph not only bore the cost of preparation and burial but also the potential or rather the inevitable loss of position on the Jewish Council. The result was his testimony of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ recorded by the Holy Spirit in all of the gospels.
Action: Lord, I pray for the courage to press past the fear of my own inadequacies. I pray for Divine enablement to press through the fear of man and for my heart to be content in obeying You and pleasing the only opinion that really matters.
Observation: I see that Joseph did something sweet for Jesus. He did what he could do at the moment. It may not be why he would have rather done. Maybe he would have rather hosted Jesus in his home or given money to Jesus or brought someone to Jesus. But it was what could be done at that moment, and he did it, and it was in the end sweet and important to the Gospel story.
Action: Jesus, there’s lots of things I’d rather do for You, but You call me to do what I can in the moment. Today, as I am out in public with my daughter, I will do what I can in the moment for You.
Good thought Doug! I’ll do it too
Observation: Joseph took a significant risk in asking for Jesus’ body and putting it in his own tomb. If word got out, he would be known as a sympathizer with the followers of the Way. This could potentially have serious effects on his career. On the other hand, he had to know of Jesus’ prophecy that he would rise on the third day, which even Jesus’ enemies recognize and take seriously. I can imagine that living in that tension, not knowing for sure how the future would work out.
Action: God, you’ve called me to live in that tension, too. Today, when I start to worry about the future, I will trust in You, believing that my future is in Your hands.
Observation: Being a follower of Jesus costs me something. Whether it is position in society, friendships, family connections, career advancement, whatever. Some other priority will have to be left behind. But in my life, in this country, that is not much of a sacrifice. I don’t have to worry about being arrested, thrown in prison, or worse. Many followers did and still do.
Action: Pray for those who are persecuted for any reason, not just followers of Jesus but all people who choose to be different from what the world demands. Stepping out of the main stream takes courage no matter who you are.
Dear Lord,
Great and Mighty One of Goodness. You Alone are true.
Help me Lord to discern what voice I listen to- Yours, my own, or fear and apathy of the world. Let me meditate and dwell on what is true, honorable, just, and pure.
Courage me to move with You.
Grant me gentle passion like Joseph Your disciple.
Thank You Lord, Amen.
Observation: Joseph gave what He had at the time to His Lord. Every day I can choose to give what I have, whether big or small. I like what Doug said, “It was sweet and important to the Gospel story.”
Action: The Gospel story isn’t over yet and I’m part of God’s plan. Help me to give what I have today and live out Your Gospel story of love and redemption to others each and every day.
I have seen the tomb too! Thanks for sharing! It brings back many special memories.