Do What You Do for the Lord
A South African minister named Norval Geldenhuys, once preached, “In the hours of crisis it is often the Peters who have sworn loyalty to Jesus with big gestures and fullness of self-confidence, that disappoint, and it is the secret and quiet followers of the Master (like Joseph, Nicodemus and the women) that do not hesitate to serve Him in love — at whatever the cost.” Our reading today tells us that one of the council, Joseph of Arimathea, “took courage” and asked for Jesus’ body. Had he spoken out against the false trial and illegal sentencing during the meeting of the council? We do not know. I would like to think that he did. Still, his voice was not heeded if it was raised. He could not save Jesus, but he could provide a proper burial. As David Guzik commented, “Joseph did not serve Jesus in many ways, but he did serve Him in ways no one else did or could. It was not possible for Peter, James, John, or even the many women who served Jesus to provide a tomb, but Joseph could and did. We must serve God in whatever way we can.”
Each of us is different. Not all of us will be asked to preach to crowds of thousands, but that does not make our input – our sacrifice for our God – any less beautiful. Joseph of Arimathea wasn’t asked to go out and heal the sick as the disciples were. He didn’t walk on the water like Peter. We have no account of him becoming a martyr like Stephen or so many of the early church. What Joseph did do was go to Pilate and ask for the body of an innocent man murdered as a criminal. Few would be so bold. It was Roman custom to leave the bodies until they had been eaten by birds and ravaged by weather. Pilate himself was not known to be a generous man nor the least kind to the Jews under his control. Still, Joseph “took courage”. Instead of focusing on what he could not do, Joseph walked in the courage of what he could do.
Whatever we are able to do, let us do it with all our might. Let us never think our contribution too small to change the world. Someone carved the tomb. Someone purchased it. Another donated it for three days. History was forever changed because each did their part. Let us always remember Colossians 3:23-24 which says, “Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.”
(Written by Keegan Harkins.)
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