Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 30, 2024
John 19:38-42
38 After this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took the body away. 39 Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy-five pounds in all. 40 Following Jewish burial customs, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths. 41 There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.
Good Morning! Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?
Think about a time when you were not ready to make a decision. Perhaps you made a promise to help someone we will call Kyle (Kyle is not part of the in-crowd), but then you are invited to a party with the “cool” kids. You are torn between doing the right thing by helping the social outcast or following along with your group.
For a while, you help Kyle when others are unaware of your actions and hang out with your group when everyone expects you to be there. You manage to keep one foot in each “camp,” but the day comes when you are called to make a stand and side with Kyle because it's the right thing to do. Do you stand with Kyle and risk the ridicule of your friends, or do you stand among those who are demeaning Kyle?
For Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, they made the difficult choice to act and care for Jesus despite the potential consequences of their actions. As the non-secular faction of our society continues to grow, we, too, are faced with hard decisions. Will we openly be Christians and risk ridicule, or do we try to hide our beliefs in the shadows so that we fit in with the group in power?
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. On this Holy Saturday, we take time to decide where we stand. Thank you for waiting for our decision and giving us the grace to do the right thing. We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Can you express your faith in Jesus openly?
Glory to God! Pastor Liz