What Jesus Did! 'Honor God!' — Luke 23:50-56

What do you do when all seems lost and life makes no sense? Joseph, Nicodemus (who assisted Joseph in the burial), ^[1] and the women ^[2] are our examples to follow in the worst moments of horror in our lives. They did the decent, kind, and generous thing — they honored Jesus in his death with a proper and honorable burial. The men provided the burial for Jesus even though personal cost and great danger were involved, and the women similarly prepared for anointing his body. On the day when many in the world exchange gifts remembering Jesus' birth, we are near the end of our year's journey through Luke's Gospel. So, we see two men and some women give Jesus a kind and gracious gift at his death. They all also honored the will of God even though all seemed lost — they honored the Sabbath as required by the law. We will all face times of desperation and trial. Let's remember the examples of Joseph, Nicodemus, and the women. Often these kind and gracious actions, infused with the help of God's Spirit, are what we most need to get us through the time of horror and sadness and to prepare us for the joy that is on the horizon. Let's also remember that, even though it may seem strange to be thinking about Jesus' death and burial on a day for celebrating his birth in many parts of the world, this sacrificial death was, in fact, the chief reason for Jesus' incarnation. ^[3]