September 9 Set Apart

Luke 23:50-53 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.
 
THE gospel of Matthew describes Joseph as a rich man from Arimathea who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. (from Matthew 27:57) Luke says he was a member of the Council. This is the Sanhedrin, which was the great council of the nation, assembled in an apartment of the temple of Jerusalem, to determine the most important affairs both of church and state. Joseph had political and religious power. Mark says he was a “prominent member of the Council” (Mark 15:43) Joseph had power, wealth and prestige. His viewpoint mattered.
    He used his power and position for God. He voted, “No.” when it was popular to condemn, “Crucify him.” In faith, Joseph saw Jesus as evidence of God’s prophetic Word. Waiting for the kingdom of God, he believed in God’s future under God’s authority. His faith set him apart from the others.
    Set apart, Joseph acted into his wisdom and love for the Christ. First, Joseph gently wrapped Jesus’ body in a linen cloth. This would set Jesus’ body apart into a specific tomb. Arimathea was about 30 miles from Jerusalem, so it is unlikely this tomb was to be for Joseph or his family. This good man used his wealth to bury Jesus with dignity as a sacrificial love offering to the Lord. In addition, there would be a record of this set apart tomb’s location and the one buried. Proof of Jesus’ burial spot would be one way to prove Luke 24:6 “He is not here; he has risen!” The sovereign Lord used his faithful disciple Joseph to prepare for the Savior’s resurrection. God had set Joseph apart to give him wealth for the tomb, faith for his wisdom and love to motivate his actions.
    Are you set apart in Christ? What is your love response? Are you willing to dissent against ungodly laws, unjust condemnation and destructive thinking? The Bible’s narrative is a history of people God has set apart to do his good will on earth. Note how every person he called is directed to speak of God and to act for God. They are set apart to call families, tribes and nations into the physical and spiritual kingdom of God. You, too, as Jesus’ disciple have a responsibility to pursue the wealth of God’s righteousness, to speak in faith and to act in love.
    May I encourage you with Paul’s words to Philemon: “I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.” (Philemon 6-7)
    Set apart, Joseph spoke and acted as Jesus’ faithful, loving disciple. I pray we do, too.
 
Prayer: Thank you, Holy Spirit, for setting me apart in Jesus’ resurrection. I pray for your wisdom to speak and do your love. Amen.