Press the arrow to listen to Gateway Worship sing “Living for You” while reading today’s devotion about the Joseph’s in Jesus life.

Scripture
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Mark 15:43

Observation
At the beginning of Jesus’ life a man named Joseph, who was not related to him, took responsibility to be his father. At the end of Jesus’ life another man named Joseph, who was not related to him, took responsibility to take Jesus into his family by begging for his body and giving him a place in his family tomb. The first made the virgin birth credible and the second did the same for the resurrection.

Bodies are identified normally by next of kin and taken away by relatives. That is why Joseph’s action is profound enough to be recorded by all four gospel writers. What Jospeh of Arimathea did was a big deal and everyone noticed.

Application
There are many times in life that it is easier to spectate than to get involved. Joseph could have easily remanded a nameless background extra in the Jesus story. Instead, his name is written with permanent ink into the Bible because he took the risk to get involved. It took guts to knock on Pilate’s door. It took love to open his own tomb. There are many times I want to spectate, but Jesus calls me to participate in his life, in the lives of others, by becoming more deeply involved than I want to be.

Prayer
Father, I don’t want to be fuzzy in the background but in focus because I’m closer to the centre of things than I really want to be. Amen.