Matthew 27:57-66
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 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. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 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.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
Reflection
Joseph of Arimathea provides for Jesus an honorable burial “in his own new tomb” (Matt. 27:60), demonstrating a notable act of devotion from this undoubtedly heartbroken disciple. Matthew is careful to note the great stone covering the entrance of the tomb (v. 60), the women who witnessed the burial (v. 61), and the careful measures taken by the Jewish leadership and Pilate to ensure that the body could not be stolen by Christ’s disciples (vv. 62–66).
It is possible that this is the bleakest moment in the entire Bible. Christ’s enemies have taken every conceivable measure to eliminate him and permanently seal him and his message in the grave. Even those who were devoted to him in his death are now left with nothing but dead hope and unanswered questions. We must always remember that God is working all things according to the counsel of his will (Eph. 1:11). Even in the darkest moments of our lives, a good and wise plan is underway. “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning” (Ps. 30:5).
1 Corinthians 12:12-31
12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.
14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.
27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.And I will show you a still more excellent way.
Reflection
Throughout 1 Corinthians 12 we find the theme of unity-in-diversity. An overemphasis on diversity might lead us to a proud attitude of independence from other believers; an undue stress on unity might lead to an arrogant insistence that all other believers be exactly like us.
Instead, God has provided a variety of gifts that are designed to allow us to function as one body with many parts (vv. 12–27). These gifts are “for the common good” (v. 7) and should not be the source of envy, rivalry, superiority, or inferiority. Special honor must be given to members of the body who seem “weaker” in the sense that their gifts are not as visible, celebrated, or developed (vv. 22–23). The cross has taught us that weakness and shame are not always what they seem.
Psalm 30:9-12
9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”
11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
The Bible tells us clearly that for Christians, all things— absolutely everything—are working together for our good (Rom. 8:28). If God can work the death of his Son for good, he can use the difficulties in your life for your good as well. Spend some time praying about this truth for yourself or others who are in need of hope right now.