Joseph's act was done in a dark, unrecognized moment. Be faithful for God's sake alone. He will be faithful to you.

Pray:

Lord, thank You that I can rest in the finished work of the cross. Thank You for what You have done!

Read:

Matthew 27:57-66

Reflect:

What do you have to offer Jesus?

A wealthy man named Joseph has the courage to go to Pilate and request that Jesus' body be given to him. Although John's Gospel describes Joseph as a "secret disciple" (19:38), here he shows his commitment to Jesus by offering his own new tomb. (The wealthy prepared for their own death in advance, and this kind of tomb hewn out of rock would have been expensive.)

Joseph also has the reverence for Jesus to take the body and wrap it in linen himself--an extraordinarily intimate act by a man who was not a relative. To protect the body against grave robbers, he rolls an enormous stone in front of the entrance of the tomb. And then he goes away (60).

Joseph of Arimathea is a beautiful example of a disciple who uses the means at his disposal to honor Christ without perhaps fully understanding the significance of what he has done. A secret disciple he may be, but when the need arises, he is ready to serve wholeheartedly, publicly, and unashamedly.

Apply:

Joseph's act was done in a dark, unrecognized moment. Be faithful for God's sake alone. He will be faithful to you.

Pray:

Lord, thank You that You recognize and remember every act of love done in Your name.