Christ Promotes the Rich and Poor to Servanthood (Matthew 27:55-61).Sunday April 26, 2026
Introduction:
The section contains 2 scenes united by a literary device called an inclusio: it does just as it sounds.
Inclusio: Were / was “there” (vv. 55, 61). These were “there” at the cross and “there” at the tomb.
Mat 27:55-61 Many women were there looking on from a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee while ministering to Him. 56 Among them was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.
57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.
Main idea: True success in life is not measured by wealth or poverty, but by our willingness to be present and to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
There are two scenes. Scene 1) the women, and 2) the rich man Joseph. People from completely different societies and all sharing the most important thing in common: they were first and foremost present servants of Jesus Christ.
Scene 1:
“Were there” (vs. 55) says volumes about vocation or purpose of our calling - to be there, to be present, no matter what needs to be done or said. It is fidelity and faithfulness.
Every disciple is to be faithful, to show up, no matter the cost. And since we cannot show up at the cross, we show up for the people to whom our Lord calls us.
First, they “were there” when it mattered most.
It took sacrifice.
Their ministry was no small thing. In God’s eyes there is no such thing as a small ministry.
The word “ministering” that these women did to Christ is diakoneĊ — the same word from which we get “deacon.
To be “there.” It’s a simple first step – set aside your fears, plans, will and be “there” in God’s will.
A lot of people, Christians, are too busy with their own lives. The Word of God tells us that love does not seek its own and endures all things.
This presence directly connects to Jesus’ own words in Matthew 25:35-40.
Mat 25:35-40 'For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in; 36 naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison, and you came to Me.' 37 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 38 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 39 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'
When did these women see Jesus hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or in prison? On the cross!
There is a reason that Mary Magdelene is always at the head of the list of women given. There is status in the kingdom of heaven.
Mat 10:32-33 “Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.”
Scene 2
Mat 27:57-61 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.
In all four gospels Joseph of Arimathea reports for duty at the burial of Jesus. He slips into history for this task and then he slips out just as quickly.
He was “a rich man” and he was “a disciple.” The last time we saw a rich man, he refused to become a disciple so as to keep his riches (rich young ruler in Mat 19:16-22).
Joseph is willing to risk his resources. The wealthy can use their wealth and influence for the kingdom of God.
And yet, we find another small, seemingly unimportant, detail that was prophesied a long time ago.
Isa 53:9 His grave was assigned with wicked men, Yet He was with a rich man in His death,
Joseph dethroned money and enthroned Christ - a miracle that has happened many times since.
Joseph comes out of nowhere. You never know who God is going to use. Christ has more secret disciples than we are aware of.
This is why we can know, poor or rich (or whatever), we can interrupt our lives to be present in the service of the Lord and know we will not be overlooked, or lose out, or lose security – all the things we fear and those fears prevent us from being present.
Rom 12:1 present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
Conclusion:
Success in life is not being rich or poor, but faithful in the service of Jesus Christ.
The faithful servant sees nothing as more important than the Lord - not reputation, possessions, time, personal plans.
If you have run from service out of fear, if you have missed opportunities to serve because you chose your own plans, if you did not use your resources for Him but for yourself - these failures do not define you - not if you come to see what Joseph and the Marys saw, and what the disciples would later come to see.
The point is to lay all aside and remain in His presence and then wait for what He asks you to do. You will see Him in ways that you would miss if you only stand in the presence of your own plans.
To us all, this is our liberating calling, breaking the chains of self and the world.
Fear is the main reason we don’t daily remain in His presence: fear of missing out (personal plans interrupted), fear of losing security (which is why we do not give graciously).
As we do to the least of His brothers, we do it to Him. |