If I Walked With Jesus
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Daily Bible Study & Questions
  • Bible Tips
  • Lessons Learned on Daddy’s Lap
  • Outside Resources
  • Forum
    • Register
    • Our Community Forum
  • Android App
  • Facebook
Luke 23:50-56 With A Heavy Heart
May 21 2017

Luke 23:50-56 With A Heavy Heart

Annette Vincent Daily Bible Study & Questions

God prepared men to care for Jesus’ body

We join the story right after Jesus breathes His last breath. He has surrendered His spirit to His Father; “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” (verse 46). But Jesus’ physical body needs to be tended to because Jesus is not done with it.

Once again, God has prepared in advance for Jesus’ needs. Joseph of Arimathea was part of the council that had condemned Jesus to death. Joseph DID NOT cast his vote for this outcome. He was a true seeker of the Kingdom of God. I believe he saw the truth of Jesus’ teaching. He believed Jesus’ words about the Kingdom, His Kingdom. But Joseph also knew the determination of the Sanhedrin. Once their minds were made up, there was very little that could stop them.

I wonder when Joseph made his preparations. In our story in Matthew I had him and Nicodemus make plans as soon as Jesus was turned over to Pilate. This is possible but I wonder if he could have been urged by God to start his preparations even earlier, like when the council began to make plans to do away with Jesus. John tells us that Joseph purchased the shroud and Nicodemus the spices the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, but what about the tomb where Jesus was to lay?

Jesus’ followers were heartbroken by this turn of events. I can’t imagine that they were in any fit state to care for Jesus’ physical remains. They were in shock! They were also exhausted as they had been awake most of the time Jesus had been. So God stepped in before it all began. God prepared Joseph’s heart in advance. God also made sure Joseph planned “his” resting place well in advance of Jesus’ need.

I imagine the preparation of Jesus’ body brought with it plenty of tears. I’m reminded of Mary washing Jesus’ feet with her tears. I wonder how many tears mingled with the spices that night. Did tears wash Jesus’ body for burial? I believe many more tears were flowing outside the tomb as the women watched and later as they prepared their spices for their Lord.

These dark days weighed heavy on all of Jesus’ disciples and followers. But this was NOT the end. For Jesus’ disciples involved in these actual events, it felt hopeless, but we know better.

Father God, THANK YOU that this was not the end. It was the beginning. Thank You for preparing for Jesus’ physical needs in advance. I know I would have been useless at that point in time. You used Joseph to step in when Jesus’ regular disciples were overwhelmed. Thank You too that this was NOT the end.

Luke 23:44-49 Buyer’s Remorse Luke 24:1-12 Don’t You Remember?

Related Posts

2 Kings 18 Hezekiah Pt 2

Daily Bible Study & Questions, First Person Story

2 Kings 18 Hezekiah Pt 2

2 Kings 18 Hezekiah Pt 1

Daily Bible Study & Questions, First Person Story

2 Kings 18 Hezekiah Pt 1

2 Kings 17 Hoshea & The Fall

Daily Bible Study & Questions, First Person Story

2 Kings 17 Hoshea & The Fall

Categories

Featured Posts

  • Deuteronomy 28:1-14 Group BlessingsDeuteronomy 28:1-14 Group Blessings
  • Joshua 14:6-15 Caleb’s RequestJoshua 14:6-15 Caleb’s Request
  • Jesse Tree December 1 The ArkJesse Tree December 1 The Ark
  • Proverbs 20:4 Not the AntProverbs 20:4 Not the Ant
  • Deuteronomy 19:14 Property LinesDeuteronomy 19:14 Property Lines
  • Listening with your heartLuke 8:4-8 Ears To Hear
  • Let your light shineLuke 8:16-18 Let it Shine
  • Acts 9:26-31 Saul’s Second EscapeActs 9:26-31 Saul’s Second Escape
  • Jesse Tree December 15 SunJesse Tree December 15 Sun
  • Ester 2:19-23 Overheard PlotEster 2:19-23 Overheard Plot
Enter your email address

Search

If I Walked With Jesus
© If I Walked With Jesus 2025
Powered by WordPress • Themify WordPress Themes