The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

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( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Mark:15:42-47

kjv@Mark:15:42 @ And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath,

kjv@Mark:15:43 @ Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.

kjv@Mark:15:44 @ And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead.

kjv@Mark:15:45 @ And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

kjv@Mark:15:46 @ And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.

kjv@Mark:15:47 @ And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

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Today's notes:

Context:

• Before - gave up the ghost
  
• After - at the rising of the sun
  

Key Concepts:

What is God's righteousness observed doing?:

• The care of the corpse of Jesus opens up some interesting possibilities in regard to how God's righteousness might be operating here. There is very little description and prophecy to guide us:
  
• The care could have been left to man to wrestle over. It may not have been important where it ended up because Jesus was going to be raised with it no matter and the details as it was going to be discovered would have been just as impressive.
  
• Else, the care of the corpse could have been so exact as to produce the precise result that not any of it happen by chance without divine direction and implementation.
  
• Else, Jesus Himself may have handled the details by arrangement beforehand off camera.
  

What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:

• If the care was open to be fought over by man, it shows that no man except for one was interested or bold enough to physically pursue it. It further proves the rejection of Jesus by men of both sides.
  
• The priests may have been attempting to entrap the disciples to stage some type of mock resurrection.
  
• Or the priests may have been scared off by what the public would say.
  
• Or the priests may have written it all off as being over, only to remember later what Jesus has predicted about His resurrection.
  
• The disciples were either too scattered and confused to do anything concrete.
  
• Or the disciples were too leery of anything that the priests or Romans would be trying to make happen.
  
• Both sides may have also anticipated that it was the possession thus the decision of Pilate being that it was officially a state execution.
  
• The details and acts may have been coordinated by Father in every respect.
  
• There may have been satanic considerations unknown to men (as there had been with the bones of Moses) for the Father to contend over as well.
  
• It may not be in the Father's nature to allow anything/anyone else to care for HIS beloved.
  
• It may not be in His sovereignty to allow any detail to chance. (However, it still could be possible that by knowing man's nature rejection and response HE allowed man's voluntary will to play out to prove HIS own without diminishing HIS sovereign reign)
  
• The details may have been pre-arranged by Jesus without any available testimony as to how and when.
  
• The Lord may have forbidden the disciples to make any move on the His corpse.
  
• The Lord may have had some level of discussion with either Joseph or a group of supporters inside the Sanhedrin.
  
• Attending angels in His charge may have been commanded to direct Joseph, Joseph being one who had an available tomb. (This would open up the possibility to Jesus being back in His authority already at this time)
  

How is man reacting?:

• Joseph is definitely moved, whether by command or compassion we are left to guess. However, his personal effort is described as bold. If that is to mean bold in view of Pilate's authority or further personal rejection from the remaining Sanhedrin that would be one thing. If it is to mean bold as in taking personal initiative that no one else was brave/resourceful enough to pull off it would indicate another.
  
• Pilate's decision is just as mysterious. Either he wished to wash his hands fully of this matter and this became his best option. Or he was fearful of what else he might be indited by from either or both sides having disposed of the corpse as per typical orders. Or he did it out of respect for an innocent man.
  

Notes:

Joseph was also a follower of Jesus and counselor in the Sanhedrin kjv@Matthew:27:57 who waited on the kingdom of God kjv@Luke:23:51 secretly for fear of the Jews kjv@John:19:38. We often see secretly held faith as a bad thing; cowardly. It could though mean that things had happened too fast on the ground for him to keep up with (especially if he had been kept out of the loop by the others). There is the part of us that fully believes, believes to the extent of what has been thus far revealed. There is also the part of us that believes that the others can see things just as plainly as we do giving us the hope that they will come to a similar conclusion if left to their own. It does not have to be cowardly in every instance as it could be a product of what is yet to be revealed. In this case there was much still being revealed by the moment. In this case it would not have mattered what Joseph could have done not so secretly as it would have no impact on the occurrences until this particular opportunity to secure the body and bury it. Cowardice may have in fact been wisdom until now. Cowardice in one area may become the reason for later boldness in another. That being said, it is typically pure cowardice motivating most other situations.

There is popular speculation that in death Jesus was delivered into hell to pay the actual price we would have paid in our death if not for Him. The theory even extends to the possibility of demons and or Satan himself being able to inflict torture upon our Lord. No one would debate that the price has to be paid. The argument though becomes to whom is the price paid to? Is it extracted from Jesus by the demonic world as payment to them? or is it extracted in the forsaking of the Son mercy paying the just demands of righteousness to appease the sin debt with God? If extracted by separation and transference to be paid to God direct, then we can allow for Jesus' words to the second crucified thief that "this day" (which was virtually about to end at dusk) "you will be with me in the Paradise". If not, would a mere three days in Satan's torture cell be enough pay? What is the price?

The greatest punishment for sin most likely is not at the hands of demons for they are being punished/tortured as well. It would be complete and total separation from God. We have very little perception of just how much God provides for us just to keep us sane and relatively pain/disease free and filled for hunger/thirst/companionship. To remove one's self from all that, to step out of, to be absent (even in partial measure) of that is more than any soul can bear. Many doubters revel in their boasts of "hell being more fun than heaven" and "hell being one big party". How could it be being that it is void of God and all that HE brings graciously to HIS intended creation.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

1. Everything that I have brought up today of course is all speculation. Speculation that leads to unsubstantiated conclusion is certainly dangerous water to tread. Speculation however can lead to an appreciation for the vast expanses of the decisions righteousness and sovereignty must traverse, appreciation for the many matters left outside our understanding or control, these then can be the safer conclusions being without unsubstantiated claims yet clear and open to the immense profundity surrounding God and each and every occurrence.
   
2. This world officially now stands condemned because of this substitutionary death and the payment made therein on it's (the world's) debt paid complete but still for the love of it's sin rejected.
   

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Further Resources:

Comment Board:Mark:15:42-47
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:15:42-47 rwp@Mark:15:42-47 mhcc@Mark:15:42-47
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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