"Joseph (of Arimathea) bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body (of Jesus), wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb" (Mark 15:46).
It was the day of Preparation, the day before the sabbath, when according to the Law no work was to be done. Joseph asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. And after confirming that Jesus was truly dead, Pilate granted his request. So Joseph took the body of Jesus, laid him in the tomb, and sealed it shut with a large stone.
Can you imagine the weight of grief that washed over Joseph as he carried the body of Jesus to its final resting place? Actually, I'm guessing there are some among us who can. Those of us who have waited for our loved one's body to be taken to the mortuary know such grief. Some of us have witnessed the body loaded into a hearse and whisked off for the final preparations before the burial or cremation. There is an overwhelming sense of loss that tugs on our heart and touches us deeply. For our loved ones who have gone before us, and for those of us who continue to journey with God in our wilderness, we cling to the resurrection promise even as we proclaim the mystery of our faith: "Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again."
Let us pray. As we journey with you, O God, point us to the empty tomb and the promise of resurrection and our new life lived in you. Bring us to the dawning of a new day when we can join our voices with countless others proclaiming, "Christ is Risen! Alleluia! Christ is Risen indeed! Alleluia!" Amen.
Pastor Laurie Jones
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