GOD’S PLAN IN ACTION
One of the things that is encouraging to hear is when someone shares a time that God came through for them. Often these rescues or graces do not come in expected ways. God’s ways are not our ways. His ways are higher. His love is deeper and encompasses more. Like the time He provided the right job, or place to live, or when a friend called at just the right moment when you were struggling. All these are His grace-fountain overflowing to take care of us. This does not mean that we will not suffer, just that He is with us through the suffering. He will bring us through it, and work all things, somehow and some way, for good. Let’s take a look at one of the times God worked out the details for Jesus to fulfill His plan.
Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all four gospel records. He was the man God used to provide a place for Jesus’ body after his crucifixion and death and before his resurrection. Joseph is recorded as being a disciple of Jesus, a good and just man, a counselor (a member of the Sanhedrin) who had not consented to their actions (Luke 23:50-51). Joseph went to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ body. It says that Joseph took him and wrapped his body in a clean linen cloth, the Greek word is “sindon”, which means a fine linen cloth that could be wrapped around a person for clothing. (Matthew 27:59) This was not the type of cloth that the Jews used to wrap around the dead for burial clothes which would be prepared with herbs and spices. Joseph laid Jesus in a new tomb that was hewn in a rock. Remember that there were no power tools to quickly carve out a tomb. God had revealed the need for a new tomb to Joseph long before Jesus died. Jesus had been telling all his disciples that he would die and in three days come back to life. None of the twelve disciples understood this revelation. The followers of Jesus who were on the way to Emmaus did not understand, but from the actions of Joseph of Arimathea we can see that he did understand that Jesus would die and be resurrected. God inspired him to have a new tomb prepared and to wrap Jesus in a fine linen cloth without all of the wrappings and preparations normally used to prepare a body for burial after death. All of this set the stage for Jesus to be in the tomb for the three nights and three days and then to be resurrected on the third day.
Road concept – God
Hearing how well prepared God was for Jesus’ death and resurrection can help us recognize how faithful God is to perform his will in all of the details of our lives. He did not save Jesus from the horrific suffering he endured on the cross, but he was with him through it. And he had already gone before him to take care of the details that were needed for the fulfillment of his plan for our redemption. Just like God had a plan to save us through Jesus, he has a plan for each of our lives. And he is working through all things for our good. Jesus said.
“You can buy two sparrows for only a copper coin, yet not even one sparrow falls from its nest without the knowledge of your Father.
Aren’t you worth more to God than many sparrows?
So don’t worry.
For your Father cares deeply about even the smallest detail of your life.”
Matthew 10:29-30 TPT
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”
Psalm 37:23 NLT
As you meditate on God’s faithfulness and His great love and attention to the details of your life, may you be filled with peace and grow in your believing and trusting Him And may we all give thanks to God for His plan to save us through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Betsy O’Callaghan