When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him.
And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:57-60
Jesus went into Joseph’s grave. Wow! What a picture of God’s redemptive plan of salvation. Jesus paid the price for my sins upon the cross. The sin debt I owed was paid in full. The Bible says I owed a sin debt and that debt could only be settled by death. The wages of sin is death. But, instead of me paying the penalty, God allowed Jesus’ death upon the cross to be a substitutionary death (a propitiation, is the Bible word) for me. Amazing. Now, one day I may die (physically), but spirituality, I will be united with God and ever be with Him. The idea of someone else atoning for sin is called vicarious atonement. Its a great phrase to use and impress your friends. Better yet, its a good reason to accept Christ today!
How does my life reflect the life Jesus desires? When did His life, death and resurrection become meaningful to me?
Good morning God. This is your day. I am your child. Please show me Your way.
Thank you for another day of life and love. Help me walk through this day with wisdom from above, grace to give and receive from others, and a sense of Your Divine power and provision.
