And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.  Matthew 27:59-60

Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a member of the Jewish council but also a follower of Jesus.  He had not agreed with the council’s decision to have Jesus crucified.  And after Jesus’ death he went to Pilate and requested Jesus’ body for burial.  Joseph had bought a tomb that had never been used and laid the body in the tomb.  A great stone was rolled in front of the entrance to keep thieves outside and the smell of decay inside.  Joseph then went away. Read more…

“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  Mark 10:45

Ransom is a common theme in film and tv shows these days.  Often a crisis occurs when a child is taken from their home.  Parents receive a phone call from the kidnapper stating they can have their kid back if they pay a large some of money.  Today there are even computer viruses called ransomware.  A computer hacker freezes a person’s digital files, and demands a ransom be paid to release them.  Without the ransom payment, the person loses all files. Read more…

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.  Hebrews 2:14

Have you ever tried to do a pull up?  This proves to be the most difficult exercise for my body to do.  I lift my hands, grab the bar, hang for a second, and then pull with all my might until my chin is above the bar.  I started trying these about a year ago (though I’m not consistent).  I’m able to complete 3 full pull ups, but after that my body gives out.  I don’t have any more strength to pull any higher.  Even after a year, my muscles haven’t made much progress.  I’m sure there are several lessons I can learn from this, but today the one I’m reminded of over and over is that my flesh is weak.  My physical body wears down, wearies, and deteriorates. Read more…

We give because God gave.  John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…”  God demonstrated His generosity by graciously giving His Son, Jesus, to endure the cross for us that we might we receive eternal life.  This gracious gift was not a result of our works, skills, or prestige.  Instead, this gift was completely based in His eternal grace.  If God gives so abundantly to us who don’t deserve it, how much more should we give to others?  

Jesus taught the disciples that giving was a mark of being His true disciple.  Those who gave Him food when He was hungry, a drink when He was thirsty, clothes when He was naked, or companionship when He was in prison would inherit the kingdom.  They wondered when Jesus was ever in these circumstances, and He told them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’ (Matthew 25:40).  Generosity is a clear discipline of Jesus’ disciples. 

In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we find 10 aspects of Christian Generosity.  I encourage you to read 2 Corinthians 8-9 yourself and pray that God would lead you to give like He has given. Read more…