Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. (Hebrews 10:24)

Hello again, since the last time I wrote I’ve found a few glimmers of inspiration. Today, the Holy Spirit has led me to pause and share one with you.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Today’s scripture, Romans 6:1-4 (NLT)…Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? [2] Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? [3] Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? [4] For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.

Consider…
One event often overlooked during Holy Week is the burial of Christ. Yet, it’s equally as important as the pillars of Crucifixion and Resurrection.

Let’s mine for some of the hidden gems of Jesus’ burial.

Jesus highlighted His burial as sign in Matthew 12:39-40 (NLT), which says…But Jesus replied, “Only an evil, adulterous generation would demand a miraculous sign; but the only sign I will give them is the sign of the prophet Jonah. [40] For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

Jesus rested in the earth before He rose from the grave. Btw the way, I don’t believe it’s a coincidence that Jesus would have rested from His finished work on the cross on the Sabbath. 🤔

By the way, don’t miss the significance of Jonah in the belly of the fish for three days. Although Jonah’s stay was due to disobedience whereas Jesus’ was in obedience, both rose in order for God to forgive and save repentant people from the penalty of sin.

We also know Jesus’ burial was important because Mark 14:3, 8 (NLT) shares…Meanwhile, Jesus was in Bethany at the home of Simon, a man who had previously had leprosy. While he was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head…
and Jesus said in verse [8] She has done what she could and has anointed my body for burial ahead of time.

Jesus’ statement is significant because He was anointed for burial before He died or arose.

In this scene we see a courageous woman give her best to Jesus without expecting anything from Him. More priceless than her perfume, was her love and adoration for her Lord that she openly displayed. When’s the last time we’ve done something for Jesus because of who He is rather than what we want.

Indeed are we living like Ephesians 5:2 (NLT) exhorts…Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Like the woman who pre-anointed Jesus for burial, and Christ Himself, God wants us to love Him and others by sacrificing ourselves for them, which is a pleasing aroma to Him.

I can confidently say this because 1 John 3:16 (NLT) plainly says…We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.

Let’s see what other gems we can unearth from Jesus’ burial…

John 19:38-42 (NLT) says…Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. [39] With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. [40] Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. [41] The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. [42] And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

Notice who tended to Jesus’ body…

• Joseph of Arimathea, which Matthew 27:57 says was a rich man and Mark 15:43 called an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.
• Nicodemus the believing Pharisee from John 3

Remember Jesus saying it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven? Well Jesus also said with God all things are possible, because a rich man and a well respected Pharisee tended to Jesus’ dead body. When these men couldn’t expect Jesus to do anything for them, they did something for Him.

What are we willing to do for Jesus without reciprocity expectations? 🤷🏾‍♂️

Matthew 27:60-61 (NLT) adds about Joseph…He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. [61] Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching.

Two gems shinning here are Joseph placed Jesus in his own new tomb. That’s significant because it shows Joseph wanted to be buried with Jesus. It’s important to understand, tombs where shared back in Jesus’ time, so it’s reasonable to think Joseph thought he was giving Jesus a room in his tomb.

That makes me hear Jonathan McReynolds singing…

… I find space for what I treasure
I make time for what I want
I choose my priorities and
Jesus you’re my number one

… So I will make room for you
I will prepare for two
So you don’t feel that you
Can’t live here, please live in me

Also did you notice Mary Mary (not Gospel Artists Tina and Erica), were sitting and watching? That means they faithfully followed Jesus in life, death, burial and resurrection.

Luke 23:55-56 (NLT) expounds…As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. [56] Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.

Notice, after these dedicated women followed and saw where Jesus was laid they went home and prepared to further care for Him, when they would be allowed.

Notice these ladies privately prepared to anoint Jesus with no reciprocity expectations, just like the woman already had done according to Mark 3:3-8.

So what can we learn from Joseph, Nicodemus, Mary and Mary with Jesus’ burial? God wants us to love Him without reciprocity expectations!

Yet we see Jesus’ reciprocity expectation in 2 Corinthians 5:15 (NLT)…He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.

Christ died for sin, for us to live for Him

The Holy Spirit just showed me, we shouldn’t have reciprocity expectations because Christ has already done His part! 🤯

I believe these ‘fantastic four’ followers of Jesus realized He had just died for them so they wanted to be a blessing to Him.

Knowing what we know millenias later, what are we willing to do in response to what Christ has already done?

Galatians 5:24-25 (NLT) answers…Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. [25] Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

For those of us who have been baptized, we are saying that with Christ our sinful nature has died to the power of sin and that we now for and with Him!

Joseph gave Jesus a room in his tomb, but Jesus wants to make His home in our hearts!

Today’s song is…
Make Room

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)