Hickory Hill Church

04/19/2026

04/05/2026

This is very touching!!

The Experience of Joseph of Arimathea

He took down the co**se of our Savior.
Still sticky with blood.
Skin already cold.
He touched death. Held it. Wrapped it.
Became ceremonially unclean for Passover.
For a dead man.

Joseph was a wealthy man.
A member of the Sanhedrin.
A respected Jew.
And Passover was 3 hours away.
The holiest day of the year.
But he climbed Golgotha anyway.

Jewish law was clear:
Touch a dead body = unclean for 7 days.
He can't worship.
Or celebrate.
Or enter the temple.

Joseph knew this.
He'd spent his entire life following these laws.
But Jesus was still hanging on that cross.

The crowds were gone.
The soldiers were drunk.
The women were weeping.
Joseph approached Pilate
—the man who just murdered his Lord.
"Can I have the body?"
Pilate granted it.
Now Joseph had to actually DO it.

He walked to Golgotha.
Through the lood-soaked dirt.
And the smell of death.
Three crosses against the fading light of day.
Jesus in the middle.
Still.
Finally, still.

Joseph climbed the ladder.
Grabbed the first nail.
Pulling with all his might.
The weight of that moment overwhelming him.

He removed every single nail.
Then the Son of God's body was in his arms.
The blood wasn't even dry yet.
It stained his expensive robes.
And His hands.
He could taste death in the air.
He personified true obedience.
Even though it was messy.
Expensive.
Difficult.

Nicodemus came too.
Another secret disciple.
Another Sanhedrin member.
Bringing 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes.
About $150,000 in today's money.
Two wealthy men.
Two cowards until that night.
Finally brave when it seemed too late.

They worked fast.
Sabbath was coming.

3 hours wrapping the body,
Pouring the spices,
And sealing the tomb.

The sun is set.
Joseph was now officially unclean.
No celebrating Passover tomorrow.
No entering the temple.
He willingly gave up -
His ceremonial purity.
His Passover celebration.
His reputation (everyone saw him bury a "blasphemer").
His position (the Sanhedrin won't forget this).
His safety (Romans might come for disciples next).
All for a dead man.

Joseph, most likely, didn't do this expecting resurrection.
He did it expecting NOTHING.
Jesus was dead. Gone. Finished.
It wasn't faith in resurrection.
It was love for a co**se.

Joseph touched death—literally—knowing it meant giving up everything.
Not because Jesus promised him anything.
But because Jesus deserved honor even in death.

Modern Christianity wants clean obedience.
Safe obedience.
Obedience that doesn't cost anything

But Joseph shows us something different:
True discipleship gets your hands dirty.
You want to follow Jesus?
Then stop avoiding the messy parts.
Stop waiting for clean opportunities.
Stop demanding that obedience be convenient.
Joseph climbed Golgotha when everyone else went home.
He wrapped a co**se when he could've stayed clean.
He missed the holiest day of his life to honor a dead "criminal."
He risked everything when there was no visible reward.
He embodied obedience.
That's not religion.
That's worship.

And the unexpected blessing he got?
Three days later, that tomb was empty.
Joseph gave his grave to Jesus.
He left it empty.
Forever.

Joseph thought he was burying God.
He was actually setting the stage for resurrection.

Your messy obedience?
God's using it too.
Even when you can't see it.
So what are you avoiding because it's too messy?
What obedience are you postponing because it's inconvenient?
What are you holding back, unwilling to give?
Joseph of Arimathea held death in his arms.
Got blood on his hands.
Missed Passover.
Lost his reputation.
But he earned his name in all four Gospels.

Religion says "stay clean."
Discipleship says "get dirty."
Joseph chose discipleship.

Choose to be more like Joseph
to be different,
humbled, lowly,
surrendered fully
to the One who died
to buy You a relationship with God.

original author unknown.
Edited and rewritten by Angie Hopkins

04/02/2026

Good Friday Service April 3rd 6:30 pm

02/18/2026

Ash Wednesday service tonight at 6:00 pm

12/05/2025

Found this group from Bowling Green, Ky area, in Boone Processing Center!! They are from Woodburn Baptist and Living Hope!!

12/03/2025

10/27/2025

Operation Christmas Child
Shoebox drop off times