And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God— this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain. It was a preparation day, and a Sabbath was about to begin. Now the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed, and they saw the tomb and how His body was laid. And then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.
And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. Luke 23:50-56
Do you know there are all sorts of ‘legends’ about this man … Joseph who gave up his tomb for Jesus’ burial? While on my ‘walk’ in the morning with God – I began to wonder about the man who gave up his tomb for the burial of Jesus’ body and what happened to him. When did this Joseph die and where was he buried? Did he get buried in his own tomb (the one Jesus used for 3 days) or somewhere else? Was this Joseph part of the first ‘church’? Did he travel and spread the ’gospel’? So, I began to research and there is A LOT of ancient history and legends about this Joseph. All these legends … are most likely just that. But most legends begin with a morsel of truth and then grow into the expansive fictional story told about the person(s). We must learn to discern the Truth by bringing it ALL before Christ and the Holy Spirit.
We often forget that the people mentioned in the scriptures are there FOR A REASON. Has the Holy Spirit ever led you to dig deeper into the history or meanings of the scriptures you are reading? Those who ‘dig for treasure’ and study to understand the scriptures with the Holy Spirit as their Guide …reap His rewards. We too are in the annuals of God. We too are ‘written’ in His record. What will God’s record(s) say about us? How many things did we do out of obedience to His prompting(s)? Or will it be record of all the things we did trying to gain God’s approval? Is there anything we can do to ‘show’ God who we really are, like He doesn’t already know?
Will God be impressed by all of our earthly successes? Will God reward those who were wildly earthly successful? How so? Who will God actually reward and why? Have you ever wondered about these people mentioned in the scriptures … just one time? Why would the Author mention them?
People MATTER to God. We matter to God. YOU matter to God. What ‘story’ is He writing with your life? Are you a willing participant? Or will it be a ‘tale’ of stubbornness and willful ignorance? Will it be a tale of overcoming great adversity as you stayed faithful to His Word as you followed closely the promptings and instructions from the Holy Spirit? What does your life story look like right now? How do you want your story of your time on earth to end? What will be the record of your faithfulness to Him and how you followed the Holy Spirit? How will you be mentioned in God’s record?