“Be A Frienf Indeed By Being A Friend In Need!”

“Be A Friend Indeed By Being A Friend In Need!”
This is how Dr. W. M. Thompson surmarised the life of Jesus: “…with uncontrolled power to possess all, he owned nothing. He had no place to be born in but another man’s stable, no closet to pray in but in the wilderness, no cross to die on but on the cross of an enemy, and no grave but one lent by a friend.”
Yes, it was thanks to Joseph of Arimathea who went to Pilate and begged for the body of Jesus. When the body was given to him he prepared it “and placed it in his own tomb…He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb…” What a true disciple! A true friend in need!
Isn’t it funny that even in death Jesus killers were still afraid of him? The next day “the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate” pleading with him to place security men at the tomb so that his friends should not come and steal his corpse away to justify that Jesus had been raised. According to them, “This last deception will be worst than the first.” Pilate granted their request (Mtt:27:57-66). In their myopic reasoning the first deception according to them was Jesus’ claim that he was the Messiah.
Unfortunately for them neither the big stone at the mouth of the tomb nor the guards they placed there to watch could keep Jesus in the grave! They were just naive actors doing everything to fulfil the mission of Jesus.
The summary of Jesus’ life as stated above may be accurate, but he became the name above all names. The name at whose mention knees bow and tongues confess that he is Lord.
My friend, be a true disciple and friend like Joseph of Arimathea, do not be among the chief priests who pursued a man to his grave! Even in tomb they still feared Jesus! When you are full of hatred for someone, you would be the one to have sleepless nights while the person sleeps and snores! In life learn to be a friend in need; do not be a “fair weather friend!”
Passion weekend prayer: Father I thank you that even in the grave Jesus is still Lord and King of my life. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!