Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. (Mark 15:43, 46 ESV)

Watching Jesus being scourged and crucified was such a terrible event for the disciples to witness. Although Jesus had plainly told him that he would die, never would have they imagined that he would suffer such cruel punishment.

Joseph of Arimathea may have been heartbroken and holding the lifeless body of the Messiah in his arms must have been especially difficult deal with. The hope of the world and miracle worker was suddenly gone and there would be no more healing or miracles that would come from him again. But little did Joseph know that God would use him in an unassuming way and that he would be part of setting up the resurrection. And as we all know, his story became part of God’s story that would be told and read by future generations.

It is often that we do not understand the Lord’s plans. He tells us what we need to know for the moment expecting us to trust and follow him. Those who strive daily to search for the Kingdom of God are watchful and pay attention to what’s revealed in Scripture. Their diligence and obedience are secretly woven into God’s story, and just like Joseph, the Lord uses their acts of faith in unexpected ways. So let us begin our day in faith and walk under the Father’s guidance. Wherever we are and whatever we are facing, may we be of good service to him.