Today's Scripture:

Matthew 27:57-66 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 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. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
This passage reminds me that faith is not an easy thing to maintain and keep hold of in a world that feels like it is continuously devolving around us. People will do more to try and knock others down than to lift them up and bring them to the joy and peace we know in Jesus. It is up to us to be like Joseph, a disciple of Jesus who, even in facing the death of the Messiah, took time to honor Him by preparing His body and laying Him in a tomb, never losing his faith in Jesus.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
So in this passage, I noticed a few main points. First, Joseph of Arimathea is requesting permission to take Jesus' body to a tomb that he had cut out of the rock and then clean and wrap the body of Jesus. This leads into the second, which even though his tomb was carved into the rock (no easy escape) the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate laying out what they thought was going to be an elaborate hoax perpetrated by the disciples, and he needed to put guards on the tomb. Unfortunately, as I reflect on how this pertains to a story in my life, I jump straight to the workplace. A mentor/coworker recommended me for a job that they thought I would be a good fit for, but this met pushback because it did not fit the agenda of others in that group. People with power and influence can often interrupt the process for no good reason other than feeling they might lose control or that something better may happen to me at their expense. If people were to start to see me in a brighter light, that could only come from taking the spotlight off of them. Much like where the story of Jesus is going, in overcoming the roadblocks of others, your merits will shine even brighter at the end of the day.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
The part that is unsaid in this passage that speaks loudly to me is the fact that there was no protest from the disciples about the guard. They also knew what Jesus had said, but I believe it was in their faith, an understanding that no rock, seal or soldier could stop the resurrection. So, for me the takeaway from this passage is in the face of worldly pressure to conform or the disbelief of others, we need to hang onto our faith and remember, through God, all things are possible.

About Ethan Tritt:
I am married to Taylor and have two amazing children Jonah and Jordan who the Lord uses regularly to teach me patience and forgiveness, while also reminding me of joy and love. Currently I am working as CFO for a portfolio company of Shell out in Albuquerque New Mexico, but am excited to be returning to Houston shortly.
I have been a covenant partner of Grace since 2007 and have been involved in a variety of things: Project 180, Band of Brothers, Dads of Grace, Friends of Westchase, Living Water trips, serving as an Elder and for the past 6 years of so have been focused on supporting the Youth Ministry team.