I Gave My All For Him (Joseph of Arimathea)
April 1, 2007
Opening Text: Phillipians 3:7-11
I Gave My All For Him (Joseph of Arimathea)
Matthew 27:57-60
Proposition: The reality of the DBR is that we are should respond in a faithful serving manner.
It was Robert Frost who penned the words:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost
On this palm Sunday we are reminded of two diverging roads that led people to Jerusalem that historic week. The First Road is the road of the triumphal entry. (Matthew 21:1-11)
Interestingly enough it starts at the Crossroads (Mk 11:4 “where the two ways met” KJV)
The journey is done by Jesus, people are just the bystanders.
They sacrifice somebody else’s palm branches and give at most there coat.
II. The Second Road
Began 20 miles out of Jerusalem in Arimathea he had come to town for a Sanhedrin meeting
But it’s purpose came from the Cross
1. Joseph risks his importance
He is able to gain an appearance with Pilate
He also breaks the ranks of the Sanhedrin
Already a member who had opposed the trial, and was secretly a disciple.
2. Gives from his own tomb
Normally, crucified are dropped on the ground and left
In Jerusalem, the bodies are buried in mass graves not allowed to be buried fam,
But, Joseph allows Jesus to occupy the first spot in his family tomb
Also extravagant spices (Jn19:39-40)
Last possession a family would have. He gives of it to Jesus
Not expecting a resurrection so this would mean that Joseph would have had to come back opened the tomb after a bout a year and collected the bones and put them in an ossuary.
III. The Road Taken
Some take the road that many have taken, where the group goes with little commitment
But Joseph shows the joys of service in the road less taken
Today, I encourage you to live your life not on the side of the well beaten path, offering little sacrifice and service. But journey with Joseph down the road less traveled, as it will make all the difference.