This studying primarily based round Joseph of Arimathea, is from Day – 21 of the Devotional titled, “Reflections on Ardour Week”. The e-book may be bought on Amazon.com right here. (Obtainable on Amazon Kindle and Kindle Limitless).
Scripture: “As night approached, there got here a wealthy man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself turn out to be a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he requested for Jesus’ physique, and Pilate ordered that or not it’s given to him.” (Matthew 27:57-58)
After Jesus’ dying, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a outstanding and upright member of the Jewish Council, went boldly earlier than Pilate and requested permission to bury the physique. Within the course of, he needed to undergo the strain of first going through an unscrupulous and treacherous governor, and thereafter, a battle-hardened centurion (Mark 15:43-45, Luke 23:50). After checking with the centurion whether or not Jesus was already useless, Pilate ultimately launched the physique to Joseph (Mark 15:45).
Joseph’s boldness in making this request is sort of exceptional in that he had beforehand been reluctant to overtly establish himself as a follower of Jesus resulting from concern of the Jewish leaders (John 19:38). He would additionally should face the wrath of his fellow councilors and of the hateful mob who had voted to sentence Jesus. However Joseph took his stand boldly for God’s Kingdom wherein he had positioned his religion (Refer Luke 23:50-51).
Whereas Jesus’ physique might have been mutilated by the mob and the troopers and thrown into a typical grave, Joseph (along with Nicodemus – one other councilor), gave Jesus a burial match for royalty. They took Jesus’ physique from the cross, wrapped it with giant quantities of spices in tremendous linen (John 19:39-40), and positioned it in a brand new tomb owned by Joseph himself (Matthew 27:60).
Though there isn’t a point out of Joseph within the scriptures after this occasion, he ceaselessly stays an important a part of a very powerful funeral in historical past due to what he did. His tomb later figured prominently in probably the most highly effective day in historical past – the day of resurrection! Unknowingly, he additionally fulfilled a prophecy in regards to the Messiah given centuries earlier than, which mentioned, “He [the Messiah] was assigned a grave…with the wealthy in his dying, …” (Isaiah 53:9).
Can we be daring for God’s Kingdom this week?
Thought: “Braveness is contagious. When a courageous man takes a stand, the spines of others are sometimes stiffened” (Billy Graham).
Prayer: Lord, present me how I might be a blessing to your Kingdom as we speak.
For an inspiring sermon on overcoming fear and anxiousness click on right here.
