They Laid Jesus There

This meditation is based on a passage for April 22, 2011 in the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: John 19:38-42

Reflection and Question: John tells the story of Good Friday with the trial, the crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. In these verses, John reports that Joseph of Arimathea is a closeted disciple of Jesus, staying silent for fear of the religious authorities. Pilate allows Joseph to take Jesus’ body to prepare for burial. It is crucial to the story that this was Friday, the day before the Sabbath, because no work could be done the following day, Saturday. They laid Jesus in the tomb, but did not complete the burial. Even though I know what is coming next, I always start to hold my breath at this point. How do you respond to Jesus’ burial?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, Love Divine, we know the details of Good Friday and Easter and yet they are fresh in the retelling each spring. Our emotions fall and rise even as we keep our eyes on Jesus so that we may follow Him more nearly again this year. Amen.