⁴² It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath).  So as evening approached, ⁴³ Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.  ⁴⁴ Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died.  ⁴⁵ When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph.  ⁴⁶ So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.  ⁴⁷ Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. (Mark 15:42-47)

 

I hope you had a blessed and reflective Good Friday. As has been the case throughout this 40-day journey, the comments yesterday were a true blessing. Thanks! Today is earmarked for review.

This year we focused on challenges.  Specifically, we looked at challenges that we face as we attempt to apply the Disciplines, but we also looked at challenges in a more general sense.  Our opening Bible study provided 4 tips from the David and Goliath story.  David in facing the challenge of the giant:

1. Made glorifying God his objective;
2. Acquired facts to find out what was really behind the challenge;
3. Tried to see the challenge and required weapons through God’s eyes; and
4. Did not give in to discouragements or distractions.

We explored various challenges through Dear Libby letters, and then ended with an examination of the person we can always turn to with any challenge, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  In our review of key qualities Jesus exhibited in the days before his death, we focused on five qualities:

1. Jesus Cares;
2. Jesus knows us and He is straight with us (He speaks the truth in love);
3. Jesus shows us how to live (He is not just theoretical);
4. Jesus actively seeks our good; and
5. Jesus loves us beyond measure.

Please spend some time thinking about what you have learned over the 40-day journey that you can apply to your life going forward.  Fortunately, the passage for today is not how the story ends. Resurrection came and with it, salvation and true victory. Especially as you prepare to celebrate the Resurrection tomorrow, praise God for the confidence He provides to face any challenge.

Today’s Request:

As we close out our 2017 Journey and look forward to Resurrection Sunday, I must say thank you for participating in our 40-day journey!  I hope even in some small way you have been drawn closer to God, and have a greater appreciation for the Disciplines.  Our final request for 2017 is that you seek to live for God every day of the year and use the Disciplines as tools to enrich your spiritual journey.  If you are not a follower of Christ and would like to learn more about following Him, please use the contact information on this website to get a hold of us.