Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, "not a bone of him shall be broken." And again another Scripture says, " They shall look on him whom they pierced."
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. Therefore. because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
John 19:31-42 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
JESUS WAS DEAD . . .
The same disciples who gathered around him when he came into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday have gone into hiding. Some of them denied knowing him. Only the women stayed with him until the bitter end. What were they thinking? They probably felt alone, abandoned, betrayed. After all, they had called him Savior, King, Master. Now he was gone. What would happen to them? Would they suffer the same fate? Had they put their trust in the wrong man? What would they do now?
JESUS WAS DEAD . . .
Nicodemus, a leading Pharisee, "a ruler of the Jews", and a member of the Sanhedrin had spoken up for Jesus in the Sanhedrin, suggesting their injustice in condemning a man without fair trial. Joseph of Arimathea, believed to be a rich man, was a member of the Sanhedrin, too, and a secret follower of Jesus. When Jesus was taken off the cross they boldly asked Pilate if they might have the body. Nicodemus provided the spices for the embalmment and assisted in the burial in the tomb which Joseph of Arimathea had prepared for himself in a garden nearby. The death of Jesus so touched these men that they "went public" with their beliefs.
JESUS WAS DEAD . . .
When a loved one dies, the bereaved goes through the same steps the disciples must have experienced. Denial - anger - shock - bargaining - guilt - panic - depression and finally, acceptance. None of the disciples really understood what Jesus had told them about rebuilding the temple in three days. Many of us stand at the grave of one who has died and feel only the overwhelming sense of our loss. We cannot remember that the person has entered into eternal life, even though we have been taught to believe this. So must the followers of Jesus have felt.
JESUS WAS DEAD . . .
We know now that with Easter morning came the glorious resurrection, but his mother, Mary Magdalene, Salome, Peter, Paul, John, James and all the other disciples did not have that assurance. In our darkest moments, we must remember Easter - and that we cannot have an Easter experience without Good Friday.
When the death shades round us lower,
Guard us from the tempter's power.
Keep us in that trial hour
Hear us, Holy Jesus.
May Thy life and death supply
Grace to live and grace to die.
Grace to reach the home on high.
Hear us, Holy Jesus. AMEN
Lutheran Book of Worship, Hymn 112
(When I was a child, this hymn was
sung between the readings of the
Passion of Christ on Good Friday.)
Contributed by Rosemary
Sunday April 1, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 18