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v60 1) The benefit of seeking the Lord diligently is that the preparation of our life fits into his plan.
(and laid it in his own new tomb,)
Joseph was probably hewing out the tomb for his own use.
Because he was diligent God was able to use the fruit of his labor.
Jesus was not concerned previously about His burial site but was concerned with doing His father's will.
When we concern ourselves with seeking the Lord~ we find our pathway fits into His plan and purpose. Matt. 6:33
God’s sovereignty evident here- fulfilling Isaiah 53: 9
God in all details around the cross did not leave any detail untouched by His wisdom and foreknowledge. God did not honor men but Himself.
God did not allow the message at any point to be defiled.
Thus, Joseph of Arimathea had to have a message of honor to honor the message of Christ.
2) The focus of service is not on the future fulfilment but upon the task presently assigned.
Jesus was to be resurrected; but first death and a tomb from which He would arise.
Joseph fit into God's plan~ He didn't try to produce a resurrection but did what was before him. He placed the body in a tomb.
Joseph in the old testament is another good example of focusing on the ministry before him.
He began focusing on fulfillment of the promise (his brothers bowing to him) but then focused on the life God desired to build--his own.
We are to focus on what God has presently assigned to us not upon future fulfillment.
57,58 3) God's timing is in His hands.
(… He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.)
So often we are pressured by time.
We find that God was only working out His plan in our life.
God begins in advance moving on our heart so that we will be readied at the right time.
Many pressures we feel are just God’s means of getting us ready. Example- a mother sensitive to a child’s need.
God is at work in the body of Christ today.
Sensitive believers will respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting.
v57 4) Sensitivity is the need, not calculation or manipulation.
(When the evening was come … He went to Pilate,)
Again Joseph merely operated in God's timetable. Earlier, there would have been no need. Later, the opportunity would have been gone.
He was sensitive to God's timing. He was observant of what was taking place and his (Joseph's) part.
v57 5) The honor is not in the vessel God uses but in the portion of Christ's life being unveiled.
(a rich man of Arimathia, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus disciple:)
The message was of Christ prophesied before and now being fulfilled.
Isaiah 53: 9
Joseph happened to be a vessel God used.
v60 6) God's purpose must be brought to pass by God. God doesn't ask that of man.
(and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulcher, and departed.)
Upon obedience, Joseph's work was done.
It was God's work to fulfill scripture.
God would roll the stone back and rise from the grave.
He didn't ask that of Joseph.
He only asked Joseph to obey, to accept his appointed role.
Again, often we seek a more glamorous role.
God just wants our obedience. The glory to come is His.
V 59,60 7) Seeking the Lord really frees a believer to enjoy the Lord.
(And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth. . .)
God is responsible for His plan.
We are free to focus upon the assignment God has given.
God has assigned to us an accomplishable part.
God is presently at work in our life on His future plan.
God is looking over our life. God is holding us on course.
We are free to follow Him.
We worry needlessly about the part God must do rather than focusing on what God has assigned, and enjoying the fellowship of obedience.
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