Today’s Encouragement is, “Then he [Joseph of Arimathea, a member of the High Counsel] took the body down from the cross and wrapped it in a long sheet of linen cloth and laid it in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock.” Luke 23:50 NLT
He Took The Body –
Jesus had just been tried, tortured, and executed in the most brutal manner possible. His disciples, who loved Him, saw Him as the Messiah, the Savior, the Son of God, had fled in fear. Yet his man, a Pharisee and member of the ruling body who condemned Jesus to death, took the body of Jesus down from the cross and buried Him with respect.
The disciples hid in fear (John 20:19). Perhaps they were too emotionally devastated; they felt all hope lost, all their work with Jesus over the last 3 years, all His promises and teachings, now lying dead – in a rock tomb.
But one man, this Joseph, put his career, reputation, and his very life on the line for his faith in Jesus. Can you imagine how his peers in the Sanhedrin responded to him after that? They hated Jesus! And here was one of their own who honored the man they had demanded be put to death!
This is Faith! Joseph honored Jesus – even in His death! We now know the rest of the story. Sunday is coming! But Joseph didn’t know this, except perhaps by faith.
Father God, help us to have this type of faith. Willing to risk everything we hold so dear, our reputation, position, our pride… to honor You!
Lay Me Down
Chris Tomlin
Today’s Encouragement 