Thoughts for the Day

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

As we have seen Romans threw away the bodies of criminals after crucifixion, but for the Jews this was unacceptable, bodies were to be buried. So the question is who will be brave enough to claim the body of Jesus and so acknowledge they are his supporter? It turns out that Joseph who comes from Arimathea (meaning hill country), has been a secret follower of Jesus. We learn that he was a good and just man, a member of the ruling council, and that he didn't agree with the Sanhedrin's decision to crucify Jesus. It sounds as though he kept his allegiance quiet, but now with the Master gone he can no longer keep silent, and goes to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus.

Joseph was a rich man and had already prepared his own new tomb, cut out from rock in a garden. He now takes Jesus' body down from the cross and lovingly and carefully wraps his body in linen. We are not told if anyone else helps him do this task. After this is completed, he rolls a large stone across the entrance to the tomb, and leaves at the start of the Sabbath which is at sunset on the Friday.

As you look at the image of the tomb above, you might like to reflect on your life and your devotion to Jesus. Have there been times when you have kept your allegiance to Him secret, or have you been brave enough to stand up for what is right and own up to being a Christian. Who or what is your true master?

Lord Jesus Christ,
in this day of silence,
after death and before resurrection,
may we reflect on all that You suffered,
and on the hope that you offered to the world.
In this moment when all we have is hope
before the glorious Easter morning comes,
let us be strong in our faith
acknowledging ourselves as followers
of Jesus, our Lord and Master.
Amen.