April 21, 2025 | Be God's Family
Jesus is Buried in the Tomb
Scripture: Matthew 27:57-61(NIV)
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.
Devotional
Have you taken up or been given a task, goal, or project that you knew would be over your head? Once you had gone through all the peaks and valleys, you knew you would be a different person from it. I can’t help but think that is what Joseph of Arimathea had to be feeling. Joseph, a Christ follower, disciple, learner, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Let’s think about that, Jesus’ body. Beaten, bruised, nailed, pierced, mutilated flesh, and Joseph demanded his body. That is a love that only our Lord can provide and a task not anyone takes on. Only someone who has courageous faith.
Joseph then takes his body and wraps it in clean linen cloth. If we visualize this, Joseph had to be so careful, patient, kind, with Jesus’ battered body. I’m sure this process was lengthy and tedious as Joseph cared for his body. What do you think Joseph is thinking in those moments? What is on his heart? What is he praying to God during this time?
Joseph then placed Jesus’ body in his own new tomb that he cut out of rock. Now, for a rich man, this could be seen as manual labor or work not of the rich. For Joseph to have this courageous faith, he wanted to honor Jesus through that faith, it didn’t matter if he was rich or poor. He was wealthy in his discipline, discipleship, and love for God. Then, he just left. That’s it. Why did he go away right after? What was that walk away from the tomb like? What was Joseph thinking? Praying? What was heavy on his heart?
There may be moments in our lives where we face darkness or uncertainty, but through the grace of God, we are reminded that God can bring hope from despair and sadness.
This week, what task, goal, or project are you working on or helping someone else work on, that you are showing courage in your faith?
Poem
Bedtime Prayer
Psalm 86
I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.
Psalm 66: 12-13
Now, I lay me down to sleep
My Sabbath rest receiving
My work is finished, day is done
This gentle sleep relieving
Now, I lay me down to rest
Let nothing wake my dreaming
In trust, my pillow holds my head
Guard me from evil’s scheming
Now I lay me down to die
In You, I’m solely trusting
When trumpet sounds, awaken me
My body new constructing
