Matthew 27:57-60
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
As we move on in the story of Jesus’ death, read Matthew 27:57-60 paying attention to the details.
Matthew gives us the barest description of Joseph of Arimathea, but the other three Gospel writers provide a bit more insight into this wealthy person. Mark tells us that Joseph was part of the religious elite, “an honored member of the high council,” who was “waiting for the Kingdom of God to come (Mark 15:43).” And John writes that Joseph hid his devotion to Jesus from most of the other religious authorities. Luke adds that Joseph had been opposed to the “decision and actions” taken by the other religious leaders.
What Matthew does say is that Joseph “had become a follower of Jesus.” The Greek word for “follower” in this passage translates in English to the word, “disciple,” which carries the idea that someone is being trained in the ways of God by another person. Joseph wasn’t just intrigued by Jesus - he had placed himself under Jesus’ authority and was allowing him to shape his understanding of God and God’s Kingdom.
Stop to consider the difference between being intrigued by Jesus and actually following or being discipled by Jesus. Where are you on the spectrum between intrigue and discipleship? Share your thoughts openly with Jesus.
Read Matthew 27:57-60 again.
The tomb owned by Joseph was an expensive one carved out of rock and furnished with a heavy stone that could be rolled across the opening. To lay the body of a convicted criminal in his unused family tomb was a huge personal sacrifice, and Joseph’s request of Pilate left him vulnerable to the other members of the high council. But however long Joseph had spent with Jesus, it was enough to make these sacrifices seem trivial.
Joseph also risked making himself unclean according to Jewish law by handling a corpse just before Passover, but none of this seems to enter his mind as he lovingly cares for this rabbi who has transformed his heart, soul and mind.
Recall again the words of the Apostle Paul, another religious leader transformed by Jesus:
“I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.” – Philippians 3:7-9
Now get quiet and ask Jesus to speak to you through Joseph’s example.
What do you sense Jesus saying to you today?
What do you plan to do about it?
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