Opening Prayer
As I wait for the joy of tomorrow, Father, bring to my memory words that Jesus spoke throughout his life—spoken long ago, but also spoken for me for today.
Read LUKE 23:44–56
The Death of Jesus
44 It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, 45 for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”[a] When he had said this, he breathed his last.
47 The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, “Surely this was a righteous man.” 48 When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. 49 But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid. 54 It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. 56 Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.
Footnotes
- Luke 23:46 Psalm 31:5
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Meditate
Do people around you know you are a Christian?
Think Further
After the death of Jesus, Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, came forward to claim the body for burial. He was a secret disciple because he feared the Jews.1 This fear kept him from making an open declaration, at least until the trials of Jesus. He was part of a minority who objected to the Sanhedrin’s decision to crucify Jesus (vv. 50, 51). Even though Joseph could not persuade the Council to release Jesus, he wanted to ensure that Jesus received a proper burial before the Sabbath. The alternative was for Jesus’ body to be left on the cross or simply disposed of, with other criminals, to be scavenged by dogs. By stepping forward to claim the body of Jesus, Joseph demonstrated his loyalty to Jesus. This was a bold act indeed.
Joseph emerged from the closet of being a secret disciple when the circumstances called for him to take a stand. This naturally exposed his allegiance to Jesus to his contemporaries, which may have caused him serious difficulties. Ironically—and sadly—the disciples of Jesus who had followed him for years were nowhere to be seen. The actions of Joseph remind us that we cannot be secret disciples of Jesus forever. We need to make a stand for Jesus, even though the fearful consequences of such actions may be very real. Many believers in Asia pay a high price for their faith. Many have faced persecution and rejection from family, relatives, and even from the community. Some may be discriminated against in schools and workplaces. There could be some who are afraid to declare openly their faith in Christ. Our passage today reminds us that we cannot be secret disciples of Jesus forever. We need to make a stand for Jesus.
Apply
Where do you need more courage to follow Jesus?
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, I thank you afresh for your submission to the will and mission of your Father. Help me in turn to live in joyful submission to your will for my life.
Last Updated on March 30, 2024 by kingstar
