Today's Scripture:

Matthew 27:57-66 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.

Read: Reflect on a story in your life that pertains to this scripture.
In this scripture, a disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus for a proper burial. With Pilate’s consent, Joseph took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in linen, and placed the body in his own nearby tomb carved in rock. Joseph placed a stone over the entrance and left. The next day, the Chief Priests and Pharisees discussed with Pilate how they could secure the tomb to prevent Jesus' disciples from stealing the body and claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead on the third day. The Pharisees told Pilate that Jesus made this false claim while He was alive. Pilate agreed and placed a guard in front of Jesus' tomb, and the tomb was sealed.

Reflect: What is this scripture telling you during this season?
This story shows us the love and devotion of Jesus’ disciples. Though Joseph of Arimathea witnessed Pilate’s absolute cruelty in the execution of Jesus, out of love, he summoned the courage to approach Pilate to ask him for the body of Jesus to see that he was buried according to Jewish law. Unselfishly, he placed Jesus in his own tomb with a stone placed over the entrance. Though some may deny the resurrection of Jesus, the second half of this scripture reinforces our faith in the resurrection. The Chief Priests and Pharisees were so worried about Jesus' disciples stealing His body to claim He rose from the dead, that they convinced Pilate to place a guard in front of the tomb with a large stone sealing the grave. They thought it would be impossible for Jesus’ body to be stolen. But nothing is impossible for God. Jesus did, indeed, rise from the dead.

Respond: How is this scripture calling you to respond?
Joseph of Arimathea’s love and compassion for Jesus serve as an important example of selfless service to others. In doing so, he gave glory and honor to God. We, too, by serving others in need, demonstrate our love for Jesus. Even by small acts of kindness to others, we reflect the love of Jesus.

About Jim Leeland:
I am married with two adult children. I have two grandsons, ages eight and eleven. I am retired after practicing law in the Houston area for over forty years.
I have been a member of Grace since 1998. I enjoy teaching with the Voyagers Adult Sunday School class, and I am the Class Chair. I am an Elder with Grace, having served on the Session between 2017 and 2019. I also serve on the Grace Endowment Committee.