Doing the Right Things
Is it so hard to focus on the thing in front of us? What we can actually do?
Words. So many words. Everywhere words. Swirling, shouting, spinning.
I greatly appreciate the story of Joseph of Arimathea. I haven’t always known why. He didn’t perform any miracles. He wasn’t an apostle. He didn’t begin any churches or die a martyr. We don’t really know much of anything about him except that he seemed to live in a rare intersection of “Pharisee” and “disciple of Jesus.”
Maybe that’s why I like him. He is an example of someone who defies the labels. Aren’t we so tired of labels? …tired of words? Tweets and videos and posts and “news” reports and so much talk, talk, talk and yelling, screaming, and posturing. Ugh.
So what do we do in the moments of fervor and endless word-tossing?
Do the right thing.
DO the right thing.
Jesus’ teachings (and the whole of the NT - Paul, James, Peter, etc.) are saturated with the call to act, to do what is right in every situation. Set the words aside, and just do what is right. With your neighbor. With your family. With those situations in which you actually exist.
This is what Jesus meant when he said, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ but the one who does the will of my Father…”. He also was clear that some who appear like sheep - saying all the right words, perhaps - are actually wolves.
Maybe that’s why Joseph’s story is particularly meaningful today. The lack of fanfare, the boldness to approach Pilate, and the courage to do the right thing (seemingly quietly) in the midst of it all. When others froze, he kept going. Disciples fled, leaders schemed, crowds mocked, but Joseph stepped forward and did something, not trying to change the whole world. He simply did what he could within his sphere of influence.
Maybe Joseph was scared. Maybe he wasn’t. We understand him to be a person of influence and power (as a Pharisee). But nothing stopped him from doing what seems like a simple, yet meaningful thing.
Oh for all of us to follow suit.
Ignore the noise and do the right things.
This is not a strategy to change the world. Jesus has not asked us to change the world. Simply to live as though he already has.
Matthew 27:57-66
That evening a man named Joseph came. He was a rich man from Arimathea who had become a disciple of Jesus. He came to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate gave him permission to take it. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had carved out of the rock. After he rolled a large stone at the door of the tomb, he went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting in front of the tomb.
The next day, which was the day after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate. They said, “Sir, we remember that while that deceiver was still alive he said, ‘After three days I will arise.’ Therefore, order the grave to be sealed until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people, ‘He’s been raised from the dead.’ This last deception will be worse than the first.”
Pilate replied, “You have soldiers for guard duty. Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then they went and secured the tomb by sealing the stone and posting the guard.
Psalm 37:1-3
Don’t get upset over evildoers; don’t be jealous of those who do wrong, because they will fade fast, like grass; they will wither like green vegetables. Trust the Lord and do good; live in the land, and farm faithfulness.
Prayer
God,
Ugh. I don’t even have the words right now. It seems like everyone else does. But honestly, I just feel alone. None of the sides feel right to me. So help me, God.
I got nothing else.
Help me to do the right things.
By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.