Luke 23, Part 5

Scripture: Luke 23:50-56

Observation: Jesus's burial. Not everyone in the Jewish leadership has wanted Jesus' death nor agreed with this mockery and injustice done to Him. One of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea, is called a good and righteous man who has been waiting for the kingdom of God (v.50, 51). He requests Jesus' body from Pilate, so that he may give Jesus a proper burial. His body is wrapped in linen and placed in a tomb not previously used (see Deuteronomy 21:22-23). Because it is almost the Sabbath, the women who have come to prepare the body cannot do so till afterwards. They see where Jesus is buried so that they might return to put spices and ointment on His body.

His body is laid to rest. But not for long.

Application: What Joseph of Arimathea did was highly irregular. He went against the religious leaders who, by all visible accounts, had won. Jesus was gone, the threat done away with. But Joseph knew this was wrong. He could have remained quiet and gone with the flow, but instead he did a brave thing: he buried Jesus in a tomb of his own property. Why? Because he was good and righteous. He did what was right even if it meant going against the big guys. Where is my courage? I don't need to look far. My strength comes from Jesus.

Prayer: Dearest Lord, who gives more than I could ever possibly deserve, who gave the most precious gift of all so that I may live, I ask for one more thing: courage to stand up for what is right even in the face of my enemies. Even if it means hardship for me, may I do what is right in Your eyes. It may not please alot of people, but then the only one I need to please is You. In Christ Jesus I pray, Amen.