John 19:23 When the soldiers had
crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, one
for each soldier. They also took his tunic; now the tunic was seamless, woven
in one piece from the top. 24 So they said to one another, "Let us not
tear it, but cast lots for it to see who will get it." .......
John 19:31 Since it was the day of
Preparation, the Jews did not want the bodies left on the cross during the
sabbath, especially because that sabbath was a day of great solemnity. So they
asked Pilate to have the legs of the crucified men broken and the bodies
removed. 32
Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other
who had been crucified with him. 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that he
was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced his side
with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. 35 (He who saw this has testified so that you
also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows that he tells the truth.)
36 These
things occurred so that the scripture might be fulfilled, "None of his
bones shall be broken." 37 And again another passage of scripture says,
"They will look on the one whom they have pierced." 38 After these
things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one
because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of
Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. 39 Nicodemus,
who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh
and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. 40 They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it
with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. 41 Now there
was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a
new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. 42 And so, because it was the Jewish day of
Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
It
is Friday: the “day of Preparation” for the Sabbath.[1]
The bodies of criminals nailed to a wooden cross would desecrate the Sabbath,[2]
and so plans are made to remove them before sunset on Friday. John tells us
that two “secret disciples” of Jesus - Joseph
of Arimathea and Nicodemus – wrapped
the body of Jesus and buried him in a nearby tomb.
This
is fascinating glimpse into the lives of these two men. Men who found it
difficult to publically support Jesus, now risk ritual uncleanness by wrapping
a dead body on the eve of the Sabbath. Perhaps
we are all a mixture of fear and heroism. There are moments when even the best
of us struggle to stand firm for the things we believe – and then there are the
moments of great celebration when the most frightened amongst us exhibits great
risks of faith.
Instead
of judging people for their failures of faith – let us rather give courage to
those who walk a shaky, unsure path towards faith.
For Thought:
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief
Give the vision that I may see
That I am safe in your care
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief
Won't You take every part of me
Heal my cry
Help my unbelief
Give the vision that I may see
That I am safe in your care
I believe, Lord, help my unbelief
Won't You take every part of me
Heal my cry
Help my unbelief
Easter Sunday
Christ Lives
The Scripture passage for
the day is drawn from Rueben Job and Norman Shawchuck, A Guide to Prayer
for Ministers and other Servants, (Nashville, The Upper Room 1983), 142.
This reflection is from my own devotional exercises
for the day
[1] Abundant evidence
indicates that John’s expression "the day of Preparation of the
Passover" (John 19:14), simply means "the Friday of the Passover
week." For further reading see http://www.biblicalperspectives.com/books/crucifixion/2.html
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