The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Matthew:27:57-61

kjv@Matthew:27:57 @ When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:

kjv@Matthew:27:58 @ He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered.

kjv@Matthew:27:59 @ And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrappedit in a clean linen cloth,

kjv@Matthew:27:60 @ And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.

kjv@Matthew:27:61 @ And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Today's notes: And Begging the Body

Context:

Before - Forsaken?
After - that that deceiver said

What is man believing/doing?:

A member of the Sanhedrin who secretly believed and was discipled in Jesus and the Kingdom of Christ, did not consent to the deed
begging Pilate for body
body commanded to be delivered
wrapping body in fine linen and laid in tomb hewn for own self, covered with large stone
women followers sitting against after Joseph departed

What is making man to believe/do as he is doing?:

kept secret for fear of the others
was in political position to do such and had suitable means already at disposal
considered best option for disposal, belief may have been known by both sides and seen by Pilate as intermediary, location easy enough to secure
not enough time before Sabbath sundown to make full preparations of body, likely had his own men do this as stone was too heavy for one
last minutes before sun down, mourning/respect/prayer, perhaps planning for Sunday preparations, witnessing

Notes:

kjv@Matthew:19:23 rich man in heaven? This man will be!

The impression that Joseph's fear lead him to silence implying passive consent to what was done upon Jesus cannot be readily interpreted. He may have known or had a sense that it was his role to get Jesus as far as his tomb with dignity and civic peace. He knew that he was vastly out numbered and how does one stand against the tide such as it was? If one accepts that Jesus must die for one's sins then the discernment of what can and can't be done falls into place. His obligation at that point would be to stay central and in a trust-able position to all parties involved.

It is hard to imagine what this grave sight would have become to the nation had Jesus not risen. Even now it (or a representation of it) is a revered site of pilgrimage for believers, but it would of become a site of political blame and controversy. Other messianic figures had come and gone to forgotten graves; because of what Jesus was able to do miraculously in so short time it is likely that His memory would have become very cankerous to this nation already on the verge of collapse.

For all the relief of the Sanhedrin and Roman governor, there has to be the premonition that this act would be trouble for them for considerable time to come. Yes Jesus is done away with, but still there are His many followers. Some followers are tame, some followers will settle back into a normal frame of mind, some have wild political notions and aspirations, some are not even followers but can use the events of this day as ammunition for a hundred different schemes. The disciples must be concerned of this as well as it could work against them getting the "life and teachings of Jesus" message their considering out as well.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

One problem is acted against and ended, more problems come as a result. Often in the eagerness to deal with the one the sudden consequence is ignored. If not ignored then down played. We tend not to resolve problems, we tend to surf problems one to the next and the others.
There is a super fine line between silence with objective purpose and silence towards consent. Offensive as it may seem at the time, there is something to be said about those that ride the middle ground, that for some God can use for HIS grander purposes. Such cannot be said however about those that ride the center for that which God objectionably cannot/will not use.
There are believers in unexpected places and positions we have no idea of. Some are known to us because they are publicly beside Jesus every step of the way even when the others are momentarily scattered and shell shocked. They have been ministering to Him and will continue to do so regardless. A few are behind the scenes only to anonymously appear at key crucial moments. God is able to work through them all.

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Matthew:27:57-61
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Matthew:27:57-61 rwp@Matthew:27:57-61 mhcc@Matthew:27:57-61
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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