The Good News!

There is a famous joke about a child who wakes up on Christmas morning and is surprised to find a heap of horse manure under the tree instead of a collection of presents. Yet, the child is not discouraged because he has an extraordinarily optimistic outlook on life. His parents discover him enthusiastically shoveling the manure as he exclaims, “With all this manure, there must be a pony somewhere!” That is optimism!

To live expectantly, fully devoted to Christ goes much deeper than optimism. Living expectantly means bowing down low to our most High God, the Father, ready for what comes next and not questioning the ways of God. It means moving with the unforced rhythms of His love, mercy and grace. It means extending grace to others because it was extended to You. Joseph of Arimathea, was one from the the Jewish council who believed and respected the ministry of Jesus, the Christ. He carefully and reverently took the body of our Lord down from the cross, wrapped him in a new shroud he had purchased, and placed him in a tomb that was freshly cut. He rolled the gigantic stone in front. Others watched.

Mark describes him as “one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God.”

I stop to think about this today. I am usually the optimistic one in our household. But do I live expectantly? Do I live always on the lookout for the kingdom of God? These are questions for self examination and meditation for today.

Mark 15, The Message
Taken to a Tomb
40-41 There were women watching from a distance, among them Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of the younger James and Joses, and Salome. When Jesus was in Galilee, these women followed and served him, and had come up with him to Jerusalem.

42-45 Late in the afternoon, since it was the Day of Preparation (that is, Sabbath eve), Joseph of Arimathea, a highly respected member of the Jewish Council, came. He was one who lived expectantly, on the lookout for the kingdom of God. Working up his courage, he went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate questioned whether he could be dead that soon and called for the captain to verify that he was really dead. Assured by the captain, he gave Joseph the corpse.

46-47 Having already purchased a linen shroud, Joseph took him down, wrapped him in the shroud, placed him in a tomb that had been cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the opening. Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Joses, watched the burial.

What courage! Joseph went to the one who sentenced Jesus to death to ask for the body of Jesus. Led of God, the Father? Probably. Where did his courage come from? God, our Father?
Most likely. THIS is living expectantly!

As we read on, the mission is not quite complete. The kingdom we all expect to come begins with Jesus’ victory over death! His resurrection is the basis of our Christianity. We live, because HE LIVES! More tomorrow!

Live EXPECTANTLY! He’s coming back, you know…

Dear Heavenly Father, You stopped me in these few Words today. Even though Jesus death brought darkness over his followers, Joseph was the one who lived expectantly. He was the one You chose, with courage and trembling to take down Jesus’ body and put him to “rest” in the grave. We who live expectantly fully believe You orchestrated every detail. Tomorrow we will meditate on a new day that will dawn with the resurrection and Light of Jesus beaming to those who believe. Help us all to live more expectantly and not fall for losing hope. Help us all to be “on the lookout for the Kingdom” of You in us. Be with us this day.
In Jesus Name, Amen