The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 11 April 2020 – TOPIC: JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: A DISCIPLE IN DEED!

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TOPIC: JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA: A DISCIPLE IN DEED!
READ: MATTHEW 27:57-66 (NKJV)

57. Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
58. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
59. When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,
60. and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.
61. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.
62. On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate,
63. saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’
64. “Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him [away,] and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”
65. Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make [it] as secure as you know how.”
66. So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

THE MESSAGE:

Joseph of Arimathea was the man who boldly went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body after His death on the cross. He was a rich man and a disciple of Jesus. Secondly, he was a prominent Jewish Council member (Mark 15:43). Verses 56-60 spell out what he did for his Master, Jesus: He took down His body from the cross, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, buried it in his own new tomb and finally, secured the tomb with a large stone. This is a wonderful act of sacrifice expressing a high level of devotion and respect.

Before this time Joseph was a secret disciple (John 19:38) but had to damn every consequence in order to give his master a befitting burial. His faith was proved by his works. A true disciple cannot remain in hiding; he must speak out for his Master and serve Him even to the point of death. Today, we remember Joseph of Arimathea by his works. What will you be remembered for in the body of Christ and in the ministry of Jesus? Note: We shall be remembered only by what we have done!

PRAYER: Father, grant me the boldness to rise above challenges and do something for You that has eternal rewards.