Joseph’s Tomb
Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Matthew 27:59, 60
At the death of Jesus The disciples all mourned Their beloved Teacher The people had scorned. Joseph's heart was stirred To move past his gloom, And offered to bury Jesus In his own tomb. He wanted to honor Jesus Though it might expose, That along with Nicodemus, Followed Him in the shadows. Joseph and Nicodemus Wrapped Christ's body in linen, Before laying it in the tomb Witnessed by the two women. They paid their respects to their Rabbi, Then rolled a heavy stone To seal the entrance of the tomb, And left Him there alone. They must have felt such sorrow, For they did not know back then, That Jesus wouldn't stay in the tomb, But would come back to life again!
At the death of Jesus, His disciples were overwhelmed with grief. They were probably comforting each other and confused about what just happened. One of His followers was Joseph of Arimathea. The Bible tells us that he was a member of the Sanhedrin. But Joseph was also a secret disciple of Jesus. Much like Nicodemus, he followed Jesus in the shadows because he feared being seen with Him by the Jewish leaders. He did not agree with their decision and action to crucify Jesus. (Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Luke 23: 50-51) His faith moved him to risk his reputation when he asked Pilate for Jesus’s body. Are there times when you feel it’s risky to show your faith? The Bible tells us to live out our faith with actions and truth. (Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18) That’s just what Joseph and Nicodemus did!
As evening approached, Joseph asked Pilate for Jesus’s body. Why was it so urgent to bury Jesus before sundown? It is Jewish custom to bury their dead within 24 hours of death. Sabbath was just a few hours away, so they needed to hurry to bury Jesus before the sun went down. Since Joseph’s personal tomb was nearby, they used that. (Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. Luke 23:59-60)
Despite being rushed for time, Joseph and Nicodemus took care to wrap His body in linen and spices. They purchased the finest linen and a larger amount of spices than usual as a way of honoring their Rabbi. One of those spices was myrrh, one of the three gifts from the Magi to baby Jesus. Each gift was symbolic to His life. Myrrh symbolized His sacrificial death. (Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Matthew 15:39) What are some of the ways you show honor to Jesus?
Two women went with Joseph and Nicodemus to the tomb. One of the women, Mary Magdalene, was one of Jesus’s most loyal followers. The other woman was Mary, the mother of Jesus. Both loved Jesus deeply. I can’t imagine the deep sorrow they were feeling. It is no wonder they followed Joseph and Nicodemus to the burial site. Not only did they want to be present out of love and loyalty, but they also wanted to know where Jesus was laid so they could return after Sabbath to finish the burial procedure. They planned to anoint the body with oil and rub it with spices before re-wrapping it in linen. They wanted to honor Jesus by completing the burial. (Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Matthew 27:55-56)
After wrapping the body, the men sealed the tomb with a heavy stone and went away. What do you think they did as they walked away? Did they remain silent in their thoughts? Did they talk to each other about their experiences with Jesus? I’m sure they were feeling a bit lost about their expectations of Jesus. Little did they know, God would more than meet their expectations of a Savior in just a couple days! There would be no need to complete the burial procedure, because the tomb was just a temporary grave! I often need to remind myself of this when things aren’t going as expected and am waiting on God, that it is temporary. The resurrection gives me hope when I feel lost or confused, because I know He is present with me, giving me comfort and peace. (For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, “Do not fear; I will help you.” Isaiah 41:13 ) May you feel that same comfort and peace in your times of need as you lean on the resurrected Christ. He is risen!
Dear Jesus, thank You for sacrificing Your earthly body for our heavenly life! Let us honor You daily in all that we do and say as a witness to those around us of Your unconditional love. Amen