September 11, 2026 · David Farmer
Best Will
“This man [Joseph] went to Pilate and asked for the Body of Jesus. Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid Him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid.”
Luke 23:52-53 →
## Goodwill Best Will
Have you ever taken a bag of old clothes to the Goodwill store? They’ll give you a certificate showing that you donated stuff so you can then show “charitable giving” on your taxes. It’s not a bad idea instead of letting it pile up at your house, but we all know we take the worst stuff we have to “donate to a good cause”. Ever known a homeless man and decided to buy him a brand new rain jacket before the rainy season comes? Do you donate the nearly expired vegetable soup cans to the local soup kitchen? That smelly old couch to the church yard sale? Some of these are good will, but they’re not your best will...
## Rock-N-Linen
It’s interesting to ponder Jesus, the Rock of Ages, laid in a hole in the rock. Matthew says it was Joseph’s own grave prepared for himself. But the whole concept triggers me to think of Moses seeking God’s glory. God had him stand in a cleft of the rock to see only His passing by (Ex.33). It was for Moses’ safety. And it is for your safety to come to God hidden in the cleft in the rock too; the Rock of Ages. “Linen” - Three different Greek words get translated “linen”, and it pops up about 19 times; 9 of those linked to Jesus’ burial linen, 6 times to believers, and once to angels (Rev.15). Mark says Joseph bought this linen specifically for Jesus at this time. The word here suggests it was of good quality. A study of rock and linen is interesting, but I think there’s a greater and simpler point to digest. Joseph bought the best he could and gave to Jesus even what he had reserved for himself. In life, nobility treated Jesus like a poor man. In death, He was treated like a rich man.
## Self-Check
Are you giving out of good will or from your best will? Does the goodwill of your heart reach down into the best of your wallet? Donating your hand-me-downs to a good cause? Was the true intention to clean out some old junk? Consider treating the stranger as good as you treat yourself. You will not be lacking, and you will see the Glory of God pass by you. This is truly standing in the cleft of the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.
## Day of Preparation