DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- GOD USES WHAT WE GIVE HIM

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – GOD USES WHAT WE GIVE TO HIM

"Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus  Then Pilate commanded the body be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 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."  (Matthew 27:57-60)

Joseph of Arimathea was a good man and a follower of the Lord Jesus.  He was rich and apparently had some standing in society that allowed him to go to Pilate to request the body of the Lord Jesus after His crucifixion.  And he had a burial place that he had prepared for his own demise.  It was some sacrifice from his own resources to offer it as the tomb for the Lord Jesus.  

What a beautiful fulfillment of prophecy.  Isaiah had written centuries earlier that the Messiah would make His grave with the wicked, but the rich at His death (Isaiah 53:9).  And that is exactly what happened.  He died between two criminals, but was buried in a rich man's tomb.

Joseph of Arimathea is not mentioned again in Scripture. He did not become a leader in the church.  I doubt that Joseph had any thought that his act of sacrifice would make him famous.  He just saw that it needed to be done and he did it. But His one act was enough to gain a place of remembrance in history.  It took some courage to go to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.  He was there at the right time and the right place to fulfill God's plan by his willingness to be used.  

How might God use us if we have the courage and are willing to sacrifice our own resources to be used by God?  It may not be as big a deal as Joseph of Arimathea did.  But God will use whatever we offer to Him for His purposes.

Jesus, use me.  May everything I have be at your disposal – even my grave.

Love, Dad