Day 21 of Knowing Him: An Easter Devotional (view all days)
Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:38-42)
A small act of mercy on the part of Joseph of Arimathea meant that Jesus’ limp and lifeless body would not be thrown into a pit of a grave, but laid carefully in a rock-hewn garden tomb. Joseph was probably a man with significant conflicts. Wealthy, a prominent member of the Jewish council, he represented the very establishment that was committed to Jesus’ demise. Yet he believed in Jesus, secretly. To believe in Jesus does put one on the spot. Being a committed disciple of Jesus always upsets the status quo.
Nicodemus, also fearful but compelled, came to the tomb too. So there two men, both of whose associations put them at odds with Jesus, both of whom really wanted to believe, are the ones who respectfully wrap the body of Jesus in cloths and seventy-five pounds of spices. Yet the only thing that can really take away the stench of death and its empty stare is resurrection.
These and the other disciples were still stuck in that no-man’s-land between life and death. All that Jesus’ followers had to hold onto were Jesus’ vague words about rising from death. Could such words be taken seriously at all? What would they do in these days? Would they be arrested next? And so they waited behind locked doors because there was nothing else to do.
Ponder This: Is there some way in which you are waiting to see what will happen next? How will you find faith in the waiting place?
[This daily devotional will appear through Easter.]
I think we are all wating to see what will happen next. It could be waiting for unsaved members of our family or friends to accept god,to see our prayers answered or for god to deal with personal things going on in our own lives. We must continue to focus on the fact that it is not what we feel,but what he promises that counts so we must take comfort and assurance from gods word and pray continually.
Trust, and PRAY.
Yes, I am in a place of waiting to see what will happen next. We are waiting on results of a biopsy taken from my husband’s throat. And my dad is awaiting surgery in a few weeks to remove a dangerous growth on his pancreas and find out if it’s cancerous. I am waiting on God to give answers, to intervene, to take care of my family. I am waiting on God to bring my dad to confess belief in Jesus Christ and put his trust in Him. And I am waiting to see God glorified in these situations. I am waiting faithfully, trusting God, and holding on to His peace.
I have faith and belief and am waiting in the waiting place for Him to call me. God Bless. I pray that everyone in the world will someday believe and find everlasting life when they pass from this earth.
I would have been just like the disples, scared but wondering what next. I wouldn’t had the faith
to beloved this was the end of all I hoped for. Many times I have lacked the faith for certain things,
such as my wife’s death a couple years ago even tho I had prayed for her healing and I knew she
would be off in the LORDS presence.
I am always waiting on ‘what’s next’. I re-strengthens my faith with mediation of the Word. Scriptures are very potent. I was blessed to be raised by strong faith soldiers of the Lord’s and my knowledge of this enhances every day of this destined walk of life. And I worship HIM!
I THINK THAT IT WAS GOD’S WILL THAT THEY BURRIED JESUS IN THE PROPER JEWISH
WAY,AND THAT THEY WHERE OBEYING GOD’S WILL BY WRAPING HIS BODY IN LINNEN
CLOTH AND PLACED HIM IN THE GARDEN TOMB.
WE CAN FOREVER BE THANKFULL AND PRAISE HIM WHO DIED FOR US ON
THE CROSS FOR ALL OF US THAT BELIEVE ON HIM AND ARE WAITING FOR HIS
RETURN.
I think the question is more of HOW we wait rather than are we waiting. I think that we are waiting all the time, sometimes for good news and sometimes for scarey news. Once we are done with that wait, there is something else that fills the empty spot up and we need to wait again. The difference between us and the disciples as they hid and waited for what was going to happen next is that we have the glorious Holy Spirit to fill us with His resurrection power while we wait! I can’t imagine how the disciples felt…..so scared and alone. Listen to this song……I have been listening to it a lot lately and it has encouraged me in my wait!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb7TSGptd3Y
What must the thoughts of those people standing at the cross have been? The images they saw before them. We cannot imagine the pain Jesus bore for us. The shear horror of this event, the violence and wickedness of the crucification and then three days later the beauty and majesty of the ressurection that followed. Imagine the thoughts of those who saw our Lord die, and then rise again from the dead, as he said he would. His promises were secured and seared into our souls to all who believe in His name.
I find it hard to comprehend the incredible joy that these early believers must have felt as they witnessed events that caused a tremble we still feel today. I can only compare it to the moment when Christ came into my life and he replaced uncertainty, and empty future with unbeleiveable peace and assurance that death was put to death once and for all and those who beleive in Him will have eternal life.
He is Risen! Glory Be to God! Glory be to God.
I think as you wait you would think about the things JESUS did in your past and know that he is the KING of KINGS . And that it will be as he says
Many people “wait to see what is next” and they do so with good reason. For in the end, if one has been saved, they will ascend to the Kingdom of Heaven. But one must also bask in the present. Live according to the Word of GOD. We must also reflect in the past, and act like CHRIST JESUS did, loving our neighbor. God bless you all.
Keep praying to God, and expecting Him to answer.
As I read about those times, I can see that events are almost exactly like they are today. Some religious leaders and powerfull people persecute believers in Christ today and in some countries, they kill believers. People today also wait inside behind closed doors and maybe hide would be another word. Since we have the benefit of scripture and by the grace of God, we believe the words there, we can read what Jesus and the apostles said and compare them to events today. It is happening. Waiting and watching events unfold is a real faith strengthener.
As I wait, I put my faith & trust is Jesus!! To whom else would I go?? ONLY HIM!
We live in a world to day when, even in our own society, actually living out the Christian faith can make one open to ridicule. We have gone from the 1950s era when being an active member of a local church was a matter of social respect to a society where many groups for different reasons want to push any expression of faith and values out and lock them up only to be expressed in buildings with stained glass windows.
Consider the moral discussion of abortion. So many people relegate any outspoken belief in the sanctity of life die-hard devoted Catholics, conservative Lutherans, and fundamentalists when in reality life is a basic right of every human being.
Jesus showed us the way to have life and live it more abundantly. In His death and resurrection, He offers hope that there will be something more.
A) By Following His instructions
B) By prayer and mediation.
i enjoyed reading about Jesus and his buriel and being resurrected from his tomb. All that seems so unreal, but we know it is the truth.Thank you very much. Have a Happy Easter! Love in Christ, M.H.
Waiting is a differicult thing to do.
espically in differicult moments,
in the dark unknowing night
As we watch wait and pray
the gift of this
is God is there too
the kind act of 2 hidden belivers,
they knew and heard Jesus
despite the place where they stood was the opposite extreme
the love for Jesus
gave them strength to act and move
to give all the honour of a decite burial to a fellow brother Jew.
amen
GOD BLESS
Love is all.
can we do the same in our hearts
We will recieve another gift
new life and the real promise of infinte time with Lord Jesus.
Well well he was buried with de Rich dat 2 say i mean his Resurrection ws 4 Man knd, ws 4 Humanty, 2 Redeem US, 2 set us Free, witot his Death and Resurrerction there will b noting 4 man knd, hi his Crucifixon gi us HOPE; hpe of Etenal life, eva lstin life, so man iz watin 4 diz dey come.
Waiting for the answer of the Lord to my prayer is at times, so challenging. Its only faith that would make one believe that the good Lord will bless his or her asking. While waiting, I would be gratefully study His ways, read the Bible more, sing songs to Him, obey His promptings and pray and praise Him for who He is. I will thankfully acknowledge His ways of answering my requests.
Romans 10:17 gives us our answer “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. Whatever we are going through. We must remeber the word of God. What did God say.
Its hard, Where I am and what I’m waiting for, its hard, and the thing is . only God can do it. I am truly at the bottom, in life, in friends, no money, even in church. I do think God for health, and I do believe all things are possible. So I must call things as tho they were, Let the poor say I am rich, let the weak say I am strong. Pray for me, as I pray for myself. To be able to do Gods will in my life. I’ve made many errors in decisions, which has caused me to be in the state I am in. But God forgave me. So what now. I try to move forward, and keep getting pushed back. I wish I knew what my real talent is. What is my true calling? I keep being treated as though I am inadequate, but no says this they just ignore me. Because if I am tell me show me the error of my ways.,
What a promise the Lord Jesus made to all believers. That He has prepared a place for us that where He we may be also; Praise God.
Earl…
Yes, I believe we are in waiting! Knowing God is in control gives me peace. I will continue to pray and wait on Him for His time for all to happen.
We have got to get it in our hearts that God answer all payer. Some are not going to be answer the way we want them to be. But they will all be answer in His time. So I pray and give it to my Lord and I know matter how He is going to answer it will be for my best [for now or later ]. What ever form of worry we take it will not make a prayer be answer anyother way but His way! Don’t let satan still your joy!! Know that God is God and you are his child. God Bless!!!
I have to stand daily with His patience and in full faith of His promises that His Spirit lives in me and I can at all times come boldly before the Throne and ask the Lord, my Source, for everything I need. Also, His Word is alive and constantly nourishes my spirit when it is weary and/or weak. It always speaks Truth that sets me free from doubt and worry about things I have no control over. I am also very blessed to have brothers & sisters in the faith who will stand with me and pray with me & for me when I need it.
I find it interesting to contemplate the idea of their waiting behind locked doors. We are all locked behind the confines of this world and our finite world. What happens when we unlock the door to trust and step out of our fears? What is on the other side? What will happen when the door is unlocked for us eternally?
When waiting upon God; one must remember the words of Jesus Christ and keep the faith of a grain of mustard seed. We must cling to the powerful Word of God and return to God everyday of our lives. Every breath is Gift from God.
Since it’s apparent that we are in the last days, I am waiting for the Rapture.
I am not waiting for him at the cross. He is risen and I walk with him everyday and hear his words through the Holy Spirit. He keeps me from evil and leads me into the light. I can’t help but talk about him and how if he could save someone like myself than he can do anything. Lord I am sorry I was such a sinner and I am ashamed of those things that I have done. But your love overcomes all and I have learned to walk and talk about my Lord Jesus Christ that leads me through the Holy Spirit. Thank you for the peace, calmness and Love you have brought to me. Love you.