And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. (Joh 19:38-42)
If that had been the end of the story, it would have been a footnote in the annals of history. But His story is not over, for there is yet to be, the resurrection. Death couldn't keep Him for He is life. The grave couldn't hold Him for He is without sIn. This world may hate Him, but they can't dismiss Him for He is the King of kings and Lord of lords and has all power both in Heaven and in earth. There is no fence-sitting with Christ, you are either for Him, having repented of your sins and put your trust and faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary, or you are against Him having ignored your need of Him or outright rejected His great Salvation. Because of who He is, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, there is no middle ground, and there will be no second chances on the other side of the grave.
That is why His Church must be on mission with Him to tell all who will hear of His grace, mercy, and love, and yes, His judgment too, that they may believe and repent. We must minister, as His ambassadors, to those who are hurting and in need, so that they can see Him in us, the hope of Glory. We must love one another, as He loved us, and gave Himself for us, that all may know we are His disciples. We must grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour through His Word, learning of Him through the Scriptures, that we may know His will and do His work in this sinful world that desperately needs Jesus Christ. We must go and tell, teaching all nations, because of the power of GOD within us, and at the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit to send us with the Gospel, that all who hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and believe, repenting of their sins, might have life in His Name.
For GOD is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. GOD calls you to trust Him and what He has already done for you to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with GOD with forgiveness and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD who is GOD the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet