PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 27:57-61
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body.” (Matthew 27:58)
Joseph, a rich and respected man (Mark 15:43), took a huge risk to do this.
Essentially he surrenders his reputation to honour Jesus, the enemy of Rome.
His life memorial (tomb) is now tied to Jesus – a religious and political loser.
Most people see Jesus as a loser, a failed messiah, no longer relevant.
Sometimes we may also feel the scorn of identifying with a ‘dead’ messiah.
Why waste ourselves on Jesus; He is not real and His church is a failure.
Like Joseph, we may be viewed as fools who still believe in fairy tales.
Essentially we surrender our reputations and future memory to honour Jesus.
When I think of Who Jesus is, and what He represents, I don’t mind.
Why be ashamed to identify with radical grace and love, humility and kindness?
Think of crazy things people devote their lives to today… they’re not ashamed!?!?
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Philippians 1:20)
I still choose to honour the ‘failed messiah’ and tie my reputation to His cause!
PRAYER
Lord, people may mock me for identifying with Your life and love, but I would rather be a fool for You than for all the empty things that everyone else seems to be sacrificing their lives for!
Undertaker = caretaker. Joseph expressed his sincere love for Jesus by doing this act that nobody wants to do – touching a dead body – and so defile himself make himself unclean according to Jewish law – yet here he got the permission from Pilate and he took the required length of linen cloth (as per ritual) and wrapped Jesus body in it and then laid him in a tomb that he had readied for the day that he would die. He offered his last place to give Jesus and honorable burial. I just imagine the physical struggle while being emotionally stressed out – taking a full grown man’s body (he was a wealthy man – not used to heavy physical work) and carrying it – maybe the soldiers helped deposit the body near the tomb – but Joseph would likely have placed Jesus in the tomb on his own – while the women watched. Joseph did a loving act – it is a testimony to him! It is important and loving to help those who are dying and family especially in caring for there departed!
Standing up for Jesus.
Usually the bodies were left on the cross for the birds of the air. Joseph, a religious leader, asked for His body so that it would not be on the cross on the sabbath day. Thus the rush and the respect the body deserves. Doing it right. Many ran away and yet, some took a stand for Jesus. I need to do the same today.
Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.
Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not, it must not suffer loss.