My grandparents just knew.  When all was falling apart around and in the family, they seemed to always know what to do.  When situations arose that were very hard and gut wrenching to everyone else; instead of panic, they knew what to do because of who they were.  They loved God with every fiber of their being.  Everyone knew it. They had a special kind of wisdom with a faith in God that was unshakable.  They lived their lives “expectantly” with hope of seeing Jesus one day.  And they did.  I am sure that they are rejoicing right now in heaven together with other saints as I write this truth.

“When you know, you know” we say these days when speaking of this special wisdom and knowledge about life.  This perfectly describes people who just know and live their lives knowing because of relying on the wisdom of God to guide them.  My grandparents lived expectantly because they lived each day guided by the One who saved their souls. 

But how did they seem to just know?  They took time to “be still and know God” which was detrimental in building their strong faith and complete trust in God. How did they do this, you might be asking?  When I visited, which was often, I watched and participated in a nightly ritual after the work day was done.  We opened our Bibles and took turns reading a passage verse by verse and commenting on it.  Then we literally went from sitting on the couch to kneeling before it to pray to God in Jesus Name in thanksgiving, adoration, requests for help for others, along with repentance.  Yes, when you know, you know.

Joseph of Arimathea knew.  The women who followed and served Jesus knew.  They were the ones left to watch over Jesus’ body when the final “It is finished” was said by their Lord.

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.

Lord,

As we read this passage, we know that in three days everything will change.  Our hope is in you.  I trust you with my life because you are Life.  My faith was built on nothing less that your blood shed to set me free from my sins.  Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for grandparents and parents who taught me to know…I pray I will continue to praise you, thank you, and help others know you, too. 

In Jesus Name, Amen