Saturday, March 30, 2013

HOLY WEEK SATURDAY: Dead in the Tomb

John 19:38-42 Jesus' body is in the tomb and being guarded by Roman soldiers throughout the day on Saturday. It was the Sabbath, so when that ended (at 6pm), Christ's body was ceremonially treated for burial with spices purchased by Nicodemus. Nicodemus, like Joseph of Arimathea, was a member of the Sanhedrin, the peeps which had condemned Jesus Christ to death. Both these guys had lived as secret followers of Jesus, afraid to make a public profession of faith because of their prominent positions in the Jewish community. But now they both were deeply affected by Christ's death and came out of hiding! They had count the cost and were now risking their reputations and their lives because they now realized Jesus was, indeed, the long-awaited Messiah! How cool is that?!~ Together they cared for Jesus' body and prepared it for burial. Jesus had offered Himself as the perfect, spotless sacrifice! “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19 SO WHAT?!~ - What has it cost you and what is it costing you to live for Jesus? It should cost something. Jesus Himself told us to “count the cost.” Our ME-centered Christianity knows very little of cost, risk and sacrifice. King David said that he would not sacrifice to the Lord that which cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). It cost Paul, It cost the disciples, it cost Jesus. How about you? Would you get up early to pray? Would you give of your finances, talents and resources? Would you make time in your schedule to: Read your Bible? Serve at your church? Mentor a student? Feed the hungry? And the list goes on. Jesus came that we might have life to the full – for HIM - not us! Lord help us to count the cost, to serve You, sacrifice for You, risk for You and to daily know You, walk with You and make You known!

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