Daily Devotional - Holy Week 2026 - Week 14 - Day 94 - 4/4/26 - "A Home for Jesus"

Author: Evangelist Lisa Dalton

“A Home for Jesus”
Scripture: Matthew 27:59–60

“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”

Devotion:
My father loved dogs. We always had one growing up. Whenever one died or ran away, Dad would always get another. But he had his favorite, and that was Rock. Rock was a pit bull—brown with a black and white face. He stayed in the backyard, free to run around and enjoy life. When he wanted attention, he would walk up to the door, peep inside, and bark at us. My dad would go outside and throw the ball with him or take him walking in the park.

As Rock got older, he slowed down, and Dad eventually had to make the difficult decision to put him down. As hard as it was, Dad knew it was necessary. He loved Rock so much that he had a plaque made and placed it in the backyard where Rock’s doghouse had been. Rock’s life was valuable to Dad; therefore, he deserved a proper memorial.

That’s what we saw in today’s lesson. Jesus had just been crucified and hung before the people. His body was beaten beyond recognition and left to be discarded. But Joseph, a rich man from Arimathaea, believed Jesus was worthy of a proper burial. This moment fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9, which said the Messiah would be associated with the rich in His burial.

As a member of the Jewish council, Joseph had kept his love for Jesus a secret out of fear of retaliation from the Jewish leaders. But when everyone else had walked away, Joseph stepped forward. He wasn’t one of the twelve, yet he played a crucial role in the final moments of Jesus’ earthly life—making sure He was buried with dignity, honor, and the care befitting a King.

Consider this:
Joseph shows us that:

• Quiet disciples can make bold moves
• Faith sometimes requires stepping out of the shadows
• God uses people in high places for holy purposes
• Honor given to Jesus is never wasted
• Courage often shows up when it matters most

Prayer:
Lord, help me to be faithful in the quiet places. Give me the courage to step forward when You call my name. Teach me to honor You with my influence, my resources, and my life.
May I give You my best, just as Joseph did. In Jesus’ name, Amen.