“Joseph took the body and wrapped it in clean linens, put it in his own tomb, a new tomb only recently cut into the rock, and rolled a large stone across the entrance.” The Message

He wrapped Him in linens just like Joseph did when He was born! I went to abarim-publications.com and did a little research on the meaning of their names.

His earthly father, Joseph, was a just man and noble. He determined to take care of things quietly so Mary would not be disgraced, (see Matthew 1:19). When Jesus was born He wrapped Him in linen cloths, called swaddling clothes, (see Luke 2:7).

Joseph means “to add, increase.” The first Joseph was from Galilee which means “to roll.”

• He was poor.
• He lived in Galilee, Bethlehem, Egypt, and Nazareth.
• He took care of things quietly.
• He saved Mary from disgrace.
• He carried out the duties of a father, raised Jesus as his own.
• He wrapped Jesus in linen cloths.
• They described him as faithful to the law (NIV); a good man (NLT); a just man (ESV); a righteous man (NASB); an honorable man (GWT); a kind-hearted man (WNT); and noble (TM).

Luke 23:50, 51, “There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God.” The Message

The second Joseph was from Arimathea, which means “The Heights.”

• He was rich.
• He lived in Arimathea.
• He quietly asked Pilate for the body of Jesus.
• He stepped in to save Mary from disgrace. She had no place to bury Jesus.
• He carried out the duties of a son, preparing His body for burial.
• He wrapped Him in linen cloths.
• He was described as good and upright (NIV); righteous (NLT); just (KJV); kind-hearted (WNT); good heart and good character (TM); lived in alert expectation of the Kingdom of God (TM).

God is looking for more “Josephs.” He needs men to be a father to the fatherless and a son to the widows who are alone.

God is also looking for “Simons.” Simon means “to listen or hear.” Simon the Cyrene didn’t play the part of a father or a son. He just carried Jesus’ cross for a while.

Tomorrow there will be fatherless, widows, and widowers at church. If you can’t take them home and feed them, like Joseph, be a Simon! Listen, carry their burden for a while.

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