Mark Day 45
Read: Mark 15:42-47
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Mark 15:43
It was courage for a dead man, but it was the first act of courage from someone other than Jesus. Finally, someone decided to say something or do something about what they believed. Of course, Jesus is destined for the cross. He laid down His own life for us, no one took it from Him. Jesus was going to rise from the dead, victorious. But Joseph didn’t know that really. He too was looking for the kingdom and Jesus represented that kingdom and the cost of enjoying that kingdom. Often courage is inspired by another’s courage. Courage in encouraging and inspiring. Finally, someone had the courage to be a friend of Jesus. And that courage set the scene for a mighty act of God, the resurrection. And Joseph didn’t just take the body, we prepared it right for burial. Courage doesn’t just react, that would really be fear, but it responds with respect. Joseph believed in and respected Jesus. I’m sure he was disappointed, but he found the courage to be the friend of a dead man. That courage set the stage for a mighty revelation of the power of God. That’s how things happen in the kingdom of God, with faith that has the courage to act. Remember, faith without action is dead. Let the courage of Jesus inspire you to have the courage too.
From the Kitchen Table 