Living with our eyes on Jesus.

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After the great event that impacted the world at that time, following the crucifixion, there was a Jewish leader of a prominent position among the Jewish people, Joseph of Arimathea, who asked Pilate for the body of the Lord Jesus.

When evening came, because it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,[a] 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a noble member of the council, who was also waiting for the kingdom of God, came and went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. And having summoned the centurion, he asked him if he were already dead. 45 And when the centurion had informed him, he gave the body to Joseph, 46 who bought a linen cloth, and taking it down, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He rolled a stone to the entrance of the tomb.

Mark 15:42-46

Joseph was very aware and understood very well the risk involved in asking Rome for permission to request the body and bury it, considering Jesus was considered a criminal who was condemned for treason against Rome. Joseph also knew that his status and reputation in the religious community would be affected. But let's note the following: Joseph had the great courage to come forward, while those friends who were close to the Lord fled in fear. This only gives us one conclusion: Joseph lived attentively waiting for God.

This sacrifice of Jesus Christ not only changes our eternal destiny, it also changes our daily lives from the moment we begin to understand and believe in this sacrifice of redemption. Jesus Christ allows us to live with great hope and anticipation. Yet, there are times when we don't recognize God as such or His presence, and we struggle to live with those expectations.

Let us remember John, Peter, and those women who contemplated the empty tomb. We remember that the Lord had told them in advance what would happen, yet they did not foresee his death. This shows us that, despite their disbelief and astonishment, they would not have expected such a situation to happen. Just like them, we must remember the word of God and recall everything God says through his word. Things do not always happen as we expect, but we must keep in mind what God says about the situations that occur.

Without Christ's sacrifice, we would have no hope today. Although it may be too difficult to live with hope and expectation in the reality each of us lives and in future situations, it is still the best way to live with hope placed in Christ.