In Everything Give Thanks - Thanksgiving Day

In Everything Give Thanks - Thanksgiving Day    

November 19, 2016

 

Feasts of God – Review them each year – Helps us to remember meaning 

Thanksgiving Day is a national holiday celebrated in United States. 

It is a time for families to get together for a day of giving thanks to God for the blessing that God has given to each of us this last year. 

The problem is, the meaning of Thanksgiving for many of us usually includes feasting, four-day weekends, out of school, football games, floats, family reunions, or eating a great dinner.  It is not bad, unless we do not know what the meaning of the day.  But to many people, its meaning is lost. 

We enjoy turkey dinners, cranberries, candied yams, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie and family gatherings—these are all commonly associated with of giving thanks—Thanksgiving Day!

“We “gobble till we Wobble” (read this, thought it was good) 

What is each of us going to do this Thanksgiving? 

What traditions have you made for your family. 

As our family gathers together for Thanksgiving, we would form a large circle, hold hands, say what Blessings we had this last year. Then have the prayer. 

The general thought that the first thanksgiving was after the Mayflower’s arrival at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620.  The Pilgrims suffered the loss of 46 of their 102 members.  They survived a bitter winter and had a bountiful harvest in 1621.  They celebrate with a festival with the local Indian population and gave thanks to God for their deliverance, a blessing and gratitude for their survival.  As a side, I read, there were only 4 adult Pilgrim women alive, cooking for 140 guests. 

Many years later in 1789, President George Washington proclaimed November 26 as a national day of Thanksgiving unto the Lord. This was in response to God's granting America independence from Britain. 

In 1863 Abraham Lincoln revived this tradition of giving thanks to the Lord, and finally in 1941, the United States Congress decreed that the fourth Thursday in November was to be a national day of Thanksgiving.  

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I love gathering with all my family.  Family fellowship with a big thanksgiving dinner and eating so much that I will fall asleep watching the Dallas Cowboys football game.

It is a blessing when we can stop and give thanks, for truly God has been good to my family and myself.  

But we should never be guilty of only thanking the Lord, even on Thanksgiving Day, a Day a grateful Nation set aside to recognize God!  

Every day is Thanksgiving Day for the believer. 

Philippians 4:6 Never worry about anything. Instead, in every situation let your petitions be made known to God through prayers and requests, with thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving focuses upon relationship.  We look at it as a family relationship.  The true meaning of Thanksgiving is the relationship between us and God.  We are to acknowledging God as faithful, earnestly honoring and giving God thanks, in advance, for His abundant blessings.   

Thanksgiving is an attitude of the heart that reinforces our relationship with God. 

Although Thanksgiving is not directly mentioned in Scripture, Thanksgiving Day is a holiday based on biblical principles and commands and the Feast of Tabernacles. It was to be a day to spend with family and friends, honoring and thanking God for the bountiful blessings He provides. 

The Words, thanks and thanksgiving show up 334 times in the Scriptures,  so many verses covering this subject.  

Why We Should Be Thankful

2 Corinthians 4:15 All this is for your sake so that, as his grace spreads, more and more people will give thanks and glorify God. 

Because it honors and Glorify God. 

When we give thanks, we recognize that God exists

We recognizes our total dependence on God  

Because it is commanded in Scripture 

the Psalms are filled with the call to give thanks 

Psalms 100:4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. 

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything be thankful, because this is God's will for you in the Messiah Jesus. 

Apostle Paul gives the command to be thankful 

Colossians 3:15-17 Let the peace of the Messiah also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.  (16)  Let the word of the Messiah inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts.  (17)  And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 

Thanklessness is dangerous to ourselves and others 

It dishonors God and leads to being dependence on man rather than God 

Romans 1:21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him. Instead, their thoughts turned to worthless things, and their senseless hearts were darkened. 

Leads to bitterness, complaining, and a joyless life

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up and causes you trouble, or many of you will become defiled. 

Bitterness creates depression and feelings of hopelessness, because we become focused on our problems rather than on the Lord.  

2 Corinthians 2:14 But thanks be to God! He always leads us triumphantly by the Messiah and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of knowing him. 

The Scriptures is a heart full of praise and thanksgiving.  These Scriptures are so powerful to turn a hurting heart into one that is strengthened and enlivened.  We should be practice and thinking about being thankful every day of our lives. 

Is an evidence of the condition of our spiritual life and value system, 

Ephesians 5:4 Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. 

Ephesians 5:20 you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah; 

Always give thanks in everything and for everything 

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 

Psalms 26:7  That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.  

Psalms 69:30  I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving.  

Psalms 95:2  Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

Psalms 100:1-5  A Psalm of Thanksgiving. Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands!  (2)  Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.  (3)  Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  (4)  Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  (5)  For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. 

Psalms 147:7  Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving; Sing praises on the harp to our God,  

2 Corinthians 9:11  while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 

2 Corinthians 9:12-15  For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God,  (13)  while, through the proof of this ministry, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal sharing with them and all men,  (14)  and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you.  (15)  Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!  

Colossians 2:7  rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.  

Expressing overflowing thanks to God that you have been made acquainted with truths so precious and glorious. If there is anything for which we ought to be thankful, it is for the knowledge of the great truths respecting our Lord and Savior. 

Colossians 4:2  Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;  

What Jesus our Lord did for each of us, the creator and eternal Son of God, who lived a sinless life, loves us so much that, He became a man,  He died for our sins, taking the punishment that we deserve,

He was died, was buried, and rose from the dead according to the Scriptures and right now on His throne at the right hand of the Father.  

This is the  lesson we should learn about Thanksgiving, always in the attitude of giving thanks to God and this attitude to be part of our everyday life. 

As Thanksgiving draws upon us this year, we should think deeply of all the Blessings He has given us this past year and thank Him for them. 

One final thought, read it on facebook this morning, Ever just sit and think about all the things God has done for you, just today. Realizing Our God is Awesome

As we celebrate this thanksgiving, remember to always give Thanks to our Lord and King and just say, Thank You, not just on Thanksgiving, but throughout the whole year.

 

 

 

 

 

Do we have more time?

Do we have more time?                            November 12, 2016

 

One Personal thought about the 2016 elections. 

The enemies are at our gates, Isis, Islamic state, Russia, China, criminals from south of the borders, etc.  

Our current leaders proclaim we are not a Christian nations, the emails release by Wikileaks show how much hatred the left has for Christians/Catholics.  Way before Mrs. Clinton called millions of Americans a “basket of deplorables,” and her top campaign advisers and liberal allies openly mocked Catholics, Southerners, Christians and a host of other groups. 

Our government allows abortions, burn our children in the fire, go after Christian Believers, etc. 

2016 elections, we found 

80+ white Christians voted for Trump, prayers for Trump

51+ Catholics voted for Trump 

Pastors said he became a Christians a couple of months ago, all the Christian Ministers layed hands on President Elect Trump. 

It has come out yesterday after the elections, Trump and Mike Pense (openly profess His belief in Jesus) prays each morning together. 

Trump publicly said he is against abortion and will select Supreme Court Judges to overturn their previous decision.   

He made this statement abortion and protecting Christians as an oath or covenant before mankind and God.  Because of that oath, It looks like God is going to honor the oath and give the United States, more time.   

2 Chronicles 7:14 if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 

Is there an example in the Scriptures similar to what has happen.  

The Holy Spirit brought to my mind about the fall of Jerusalem and how they were given one more chance or grace from God. 

The fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. after a two-year siege,  

City to be Burned  

Jeremiah 34:1-22  This is the message that came to Jeremiah from the LORD while Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, all his army, all the kingdoms of the earth that were under his authority, along with all the people were fighting against Jerusalem and all its towns: (2)  This is what the LORD God of Israel says: 'Go and speak to Zedekiah king of Judah. Say to him, "This is what the LORD says: 'Look, I'm giving this city into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he will set it on fire.   

Here Jeremiah told King Zedekiah that Jerusalem was going to be destroyed and be set on fire.  Which did happen. 

Babylonians temporarily retire from siege to meet with Pharoah Hophra 

(3)  You won't escape from him. You will certainly be captured and given into his control. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye, he will speak to you face to face, and you will go to Babylon.'"'   

Nebuchadnezzar was feared (cf. Ez 12:13; Jer 52:11). He was probably one of the most absolute despots that has ever ruled on the planet earth. In the book of Daniel, when he thought someone didn’t perform quite up to snuff and through them into the fiery furnace. When his advisors weren’t quick to give him the answer he wanted, he wanted to tear them limb from limb and make their houses a dunghill. It is interesting that it is hinted at when the Lord tells Zedekiah that he will not escape. 

(4)  Yet, hear this message from the LORD, Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD says to you, 'You won't die by the sword. 

(5)  You will die peacefully, and as they burned fires for your ancestors, the former kings who were before you, so they'll burn fires for you, wailing, "Oh how terrible, your majesty!"' For I've spoken the message," declares the LORD.   

(6)  Then Jeremiah the prophet spoke all of this in Jerusalem to Zedekiah king of Judah,  (7)  while the army of the king of Babylon was fighting against Jerusalem and all the cities of Judah that were left, namely Lachish and Azekah. (They were the only fortified cities that remained among the cities of Judah.)   

These two cities are southwest of Jerusalem about the southern extent of the siege in the land of Judah. Lachish (now Tel-ed-Daweir) is about 35 miles southwest and Azekah (now Tel-ez-Zakhriyeh) is about 50 miles southwest.  

Laws of Slave Trade 

Laws of slave trade. covered in Exodus 21:1-11. 

Exodus 21:2   "When you acquire a Hebrew servant he is to serve for six years, and in the seventh he is to go out a free man without paying anything. 

The concept about the ear and the doorpost is to be a slave for life. Leviticus 25:39-55. A man can indenture himself to pay off a debt. Indenturing can only go to the year of jubilee. Could not indenture oneself beyond the year of jubilee. 

Deuteronomy 15:12-17   "When a fellow Hebrew male or female slave is sold to you and serves you for six years, then in the seventh year you are to set them free.  (13)  But when you set them free, don't send them away empty-handed.  (14)  Provide for them liberally from your flock, threshing floor, and wine vat. As the LORD your God has blessed you, so give to them.  (15)  Don't ever forget that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, yet the LORD your God redeemed you. Therefore, I'm giving you these commands today. 

(16)  "Should that slave say to you, 'I won't leave you,' because he loves you and your household, and it was good for him to be with you,  (17)  then take an awl and pierce through his earlobe into the door. Then he will be your slave forever. You may do the same for your female slaves. 

The law of the slave was linked to the fact that they were slaves in Egypt and God redeemed them. They are not to abuse the slaves. The 8th century prophets, Isaiah, Micah, Hosea, and Amos have special passages telling them not to do social injustice to their slaves. The fact that they were indentured servants was no reason to abuse them. No one paid attention to the Law.  

The last 30 chapters in Jeremiah show how Judah disobeyed God’s rules, so it is no surprise that they were abusing this. Jerusalem is under siege and they recognize that the place is about to go down. There is nothing like a terminal countdown to bring them all to repentance. For a little there is while a commitment by them to get their act together and repent.  Did this not happen on 9-11?  Could this not be happening with Trump because of his oath on abortion and protection of Christians? 

(8)  This is this message from the LORD that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Zedekiah had made a covenant with all the people in Jerusalem proclaiming release for them.  (9)  Each person was to set free his male and female slaves who were Hebrews, so that no Jewish person would enslave his brother.   

They had abused all these limitations for slaves. They were in violation of the Torah. Zedekiah had the people in Judah let them all go, which they do for a little while. Under siege they are suddenly becoming very religious. The Babylonians fold up their tents and leave for a while to meet Pharaoh Neco. When the Babylonians retired, these people reneged on their covenant. Sick, healed and return to the way we were. 

They made a covenant to release them, once the threat was gone, they forced them back into labor. God is offended by that, which we will see in chapter 34. They make this covenant, Zedekiah has a new covenant, they are going to free up the Hebrews that are in a form of servitude. 

(10)  All the officials and all the people who had entered into the covenant agreed that each would set his male and female slaves free so that they would not enslave them any longer. They obeyed and they released them.  (11)  But afterward they turned around and took back the male and female slaves that they had set free, and they forced them to become male and female slaves.  

Returned = repented. They reneged on their deal. They made a solemn covenant before the king that they were going to turn them loose but they changed their mind. 

(12)  Then this message from the LORD came to Jeremiah from the LORD:  (13)  "This is what the LORD God of Israel says: 'I made a covenant with your ancestors on the day I brought them out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. I told them:  

Specific reference to their own origin, He made a covenant and He keeps His covenants. 

(14)  "At the end of seven years, each of you is to set free your fellow Hebrew who has sold himself to you and has served you for six years. You are to send him out from you with no further obligation." But your ancestors didn't obey me or pay attention.  (15)  You recently repented and did what was right in my eyes by proclaiming release for one another, and you made a covenant before me in the house that is called by my name.   

Zedekiah had this covenant ratified in the Temple and God honored it, now they reneged. 

Polluted God’s Name

(16)  But then you turned around and profaned my name when each of you took back his male and female slaves whom you had set free according to their desire, and you forced them to become male and female slaves."'  

When we make a covenant before the Lord and don’t keep it, we pollute God’s name. That is what makes vows so dangerous. Resolve to do things, but don’t make vows. 

(17)  "Therefore, this is what the LORD says: 'You haven't obeyed me by each of you proclaiming a release for your brothers and neighbors. Now I'm going to proclaim a release for you,' declares the LORD, 'a release to the sword, to plague, and to famine, and I'll make you a horrifying sight to all the kingdoms of the earth.  (18)  I'll give over the men who transgressed my covenant, who haven't fulfilled the terms of the covenant that they made before me when they cut the calf in two and passed between its parts—  

Calf in two:  a reference to an ancient practice in making an agreement. They would take an animal, typically one who is offered for an offering, and would cut it in pieces and set the pieces aside and then would pass between them. In going between the pieces, they seal the covenant. If they break the covenant they will be cut in pieces. This is just a gesture to seal the bargain.  

(19)  the officials of Judah, the officials of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the parts of the calf.   

The ones who didn’t keep the covenant will be cut in pieces 

(20)  I'll give them to their enemies who are seeking to kill them, and their dead bodies will be food for the birds of the sky and the animals of the land. 

(21)  I'll give Zedekiah, king of Judah, and his officials into the domination of their enemies, to those who are seeking to kill them, and to the army of the king of Babylon that is coming against them. 

(22)  Look, I'm in command of them, declares the LORD, and I'll bring them back to this city. They'll capture it and burn it with fire, and I'll turn the towns of Judah into desolate places without inhabitants.'" 

God is going to command Babylonians to come back, they have gone for a while, and the princes of Judah assumed they were gone for good. 

Remember, I said:  Babylonians temporarily retire from siege of Jerusalem to meet with Pharoah Hophra, Egypt in battle 

I know we have different opinions or feelings about our new President Elect, but for me a relief was taken off my shoulders and maybe our Lord God gave us some more time because of Donald Trump oath or covenant.  Only time will tell. 

1 Timothy 2:1-3 First of all, then, I urge you to offer to God petitions, prayers, intercessions, and expressions of thanks for all people,  (2)  for kings, and for everyone who has authority, so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity.  (3)  This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 

Remember, we are to continue praying for our Leaders, it seems like we might have a little more time left.  We need to keep our faith in Jesus. 

1 Peter 1:3-5  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah! Because of his great mercy he has granted us a new birth, resulting in an immortal hope through the resurrection of Jesus, the Messiah, from the dead  (4)  and to an inheritance kept in heaven for you that can't be destroyed, corrupted, or changed.  (5)  Through faith you are being protected by God's power for a salvation that is ready to be revealed at the end of this era. 

Our real security is with our Lord Jesus

 

Joseph of Arimathea

Joseph of Arimathea                                       November 5, 2016 

Who was he?  He is not mention many times in the Scriptures, but we will find out many things about him from the Scriptures.  We get a fleeting glimpse of a great and courageous man, become center stage in the Scriptures for a few brief verses and then, just as quickly, disappear -- never to be heard from again.  He is mention in all four Gospel books in Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38.  

Let’s use some reasoning and common sense and place ourselves during this time.  The Gospels shows Joseph’s character were similar, and said that he was from Arimathea.  All positive comments. 

Matthew 27:57-61 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  (58)  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  (59)  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  (60)  and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.  (61)  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb. 

Joseph appears and then disappears or departed from the pages of the Bible.  The other 3 Gospels add details that Matthew doesn’t mention. 

Evening had come:  This was Wednesday afternoon, high day 

Rich man:  Very well off, Matthew (Levi) was a tax collector and he

was well off financially and said Joseph was rich.   

Joseph, from Arimathea: Gives his name and where he was from  

Joseph: was a disciple of Jesus 

Joseph went to Pilate:  Remember, Pilate was the representative of the most powerful Empire in the known world at that time main, Could we just walk in to see the President of the United States.   He had to have a very high position among the Jews and Romans, to be able to do this. 

Asked for the body of Jesus: to do this, he had to be a close relative, so Joseph must have been highly influential in his day.  

Also, to be able to obtain the body, he had to be a relative of Jesus, the male relative of a crucified person was obliged to deal with the body. Jesus' father was no longer around, so if Joseph did volunteer for the task, which suggests that he must have been related to Jesus in some important way. 

Jesus: and the extended family was not poor 

We know that he must have been high up because he went to the person who represented the ruler of the world and asked if he could have the body of Jesus. He besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus 

The only grounds which he could have had which would be in agreement with Jewish and Roman law and at the same time avoid giving offence to the chief priests, would be as the nearest relative of the dead man. 

Under both Jewish and Roman Law it was the responsibility of the nearest relatives to dispose of the dead, regardless of the circumstances of death. 

Mary, the mother of Jesus, would clearly be in no emotional state for such a task, which would have been considered "man's work" anyway. The brothers of Jesus as young men or teenagers would have lacked the maturity to perform such a duty, leaving Joseph (the uncle of Mary) the next in line. 

Unless Joseph had strong legal grounds, as described, for claiming the body, the Jews would have resisted the idea of a man (Jesus) -- whom they hated and had caused to be executed -- given the honor of being buried in a private tomb, instead of the official burial place for criminals.  The Sadducees were afraid of Joseph relationship with the Romans Leaders.

Under Jewish law the nearest male relative would have the clear responsibility to assist the widow and her children. As we saw earlier, this role would almost certainly be taken up by Joseph. 

Joseph was a rich man from Arimathea and a disciple of Jesus.  Arimathea was a town located within Judea, several miles north of Jerusalem, known today as Ramalleh. 

Pilate: commanded the body to be given to Joseph 

Joseph: wrapped the body in a clean linen cloth 

Joseph: placed the body in his new tomb 

Joseph: rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, (both older men) 

Departed – was the last time we heard of Joseph in the Scriptures.  

Mark 15:42-47  Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,  (43)  Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  (44)  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  (45)  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  (46)  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  (47)  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses (Joseph) observed where He was laid. 

Preparation Day: that is, the day before the Sabbath (Wednesday, 1^st Day

of Unleavened bread. 

Joseph:  prominent council member Joseph (Sanhedrin with Nicodemus),  

Prominent:   decorous, noble (in rank) Latin title, designate An Official,

Under Roman Authority – Who was in charge of metal mining. The implication is that Joseph was a Roman Senator in charge of Rome's overseas mining interests. The office seems to have been a lucrative and much coveted one.  This is why he was able to go directly to Pilate. 

Council member:  member of the Jewish Sanhedrim, means

he had to be married (historical records said he one daughter) 

Joseph:  waiting for the kingdom of God 

Pilate: granted the body to Joseph. 

Joseph: he bought fine linen,  

Joseph:  took Jesus down from the cross 

Joseph: wrapped Jesus in the linen. 

Joseph: laid Jesus in a tomb 

Joseph: rolled a stone against the door of the tomb 

Luke 23:50-56  Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  (51)  He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  (52)  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  (53)  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  (54)  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  (55)  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  (56)  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 

Luke: said Joseph was a good and righteous man, nice words about someone 

Joseph: had not consented to council decision, action and deed to the trial and to crucify Jesus. 

John 19:38-42  After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.  (39)  And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.  (40)  Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.  (41)  Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.  (42)  So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby. 

Joseph:  being a disciple of Jesus 

Joseph:  secretly, for fear of the Jews – the Jews refers to the Leadership 

Nicodemus:  bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds 

Joseph:  bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. 

What Joseph did was actually fulfilled a prophecy in the Book of Isaiah 

Isaiah 53:9 And they made His grave with the wicked— But with the rich at His death, Because He had done no violence, Nor was any deceit in His mouth. 

What have we found in the Scriptures about Joseph.  

·      Was a good and just man

·      Was a rich and influential man

·      Had direct access to Pilate

·      Was an honorable and respected member of the Sanhedrin Council

·      Was a secret disciple of Jesus

·      Waiting for the Kingdom of God

·      Disagreed with the decisions and actions of the Sanhedrin Council - owned Laid Jesus’s body to rest a new tomb

·      Courageous man who boldly requested Pilate for Jesus's body

·      Purchased fine strips of linen with spices for Jesus to be buried

·      Took Jesus down from the cross

·      Wrapped Jesus in the linen with spices with Nicodemus 

·      Rolled the stone over the entrance to the tomb of Jesus

·      They departed.

·      Had a good social standing 

What an incredible and compassionate person Joseph was and who cared about the Lord, Joseph must have been.   

I can't personally imagine what it must have been like for him to have taken the body of our Savior down and put it into the tomb.  Blood, carring him, cleaning and setting Jesus in the tomb.  Very disturbing to think of. 

Then after Jesus rose and the tomb was empty again... What possibly could have been going on in Joseph's mind!?!?   

We can only surmise...How awesome it must have been though! 

The Bible is silent about Joseph after Jesus’ burial so we cannot know for sure what path he took later in life, anything further is educated speculation from some historical records. 

According to the Talmud, Joseph was the younger brother of the father of Mary. He was her uncle, and therefore a great-uncle to Jesus."  The Harlein Manuscripts in the British Museum further support the claims that Joseph of Arimathea was uncle to Mary the mother of Jesus. 

Joseph was given a title in different manuscripts "the Great Lord Joseph of Arimathea," Why because he was of Royal Line, just like Mary, descended from King David and this title was in keeping with his birth as a prince of the House of David. That makes him related to the Jesus. 

Historical records show Joseph had the contract with the Romans to provide tin. 

Joseph achieved his wealth in the metals trade. Cornwall, England was a chief mining district and well-known in the Roman Empire for its tin. Somerset was renowned for its high quality lead. It seems Joseph have made many trips to Britain before coming to establish Christianity there. Joseph built Britain's first monastery in Glastonbury.  Jesus travel with Joseph.  Silent years for Jesus between ages of 12 and 30.  Missing 18 years.  Traditions have Jesus in Cornwell and the Isle of Avalon near Glastonbury in England tied to the tin mines of Cornwall. 

We looked at the life of one man, Joseph and as I said, there is not much said about him.  He was there defending Jesus at His trial, at His death, and being there at His resurrection.   

Remember, he was the one who was there: 

·      when the Jewish Leaders took Jesus,

·      during the trial,

·      was killed,

·      then took Jesus down off the cross,

·      carried him to the tomb,

·      cleaned Him, and

·      Closed the tomb with a stone.   

Can you imagine the emotions he went through seeing your nephew die this way? The witness you become because of what you did for Jesus. 

Not many verses but a lot said about this person, Joseph of Arimathea