Joseph Cares for Jesus' Body - Matthew 27:59

Matthew the apostle wrote, “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple. He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered”, and in chapter twenty-seven and verse fifty-nine of his book, Matthew shared what happened when, “Joseph had take the body” where we read:

And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

The verse reads, “And when Joseph had taken the body, ...” Matthew began words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “Joseph” which means “let him add” and was “a student, pupil and attendant of Jesus” “had taken the body” or “laid hold of Jesus' body in order to carry it away”. Matthew began to share how “Joseph of Arimathaea” obtained and secured Jesus' body.

The verse goes on to say, “he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,” Matthew continued with the words, “he wrapped it” or “Joseph rolled and wound Jesus' body” “in a clean linen cloth” which means “in a pure, purified and costly light and loose garment”. Matthew shared how Joseph “wrapped” Jesus' body in a “pure, purified and costly” garment.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we can imagine how difficult it was for Joseph to “obtain and wrap” Jesus' body. The One whom He believed would be the “Savior” was now dead, and Joseph's care and concern for Jesus' body was preeminent in his mind. Joseph took action and cared for Jesus' body with a “pure and costly” garment which again speaks to his wealth and concern. God loves people, and when they believe and trust in His Son Jesus to the point of acting upon their beliefs, He not only offers them “salvation”, but also promises to give them “everlasting life”. Let “Joseph of Arimathaea” be an inspiration to all who consider what he did with Jesus.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph, “laid” Jesus' body “in his own new tomb”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".