When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.
You wouldn’t know death was such a part of life by the amount of time we spend thinking about it and getting ready for it. Jesus was ready. He saw death as the accomplishment of a mission. We are left to wonder what Joseph of Arimathea thought of death as he made funeral preparations. Did he think he would see him again? The next verse says this,
Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
What did they think of death? Why did they go to the tomb on the first day of the week? We don’t know.
But we do know what happened after that! Jesus appeared first to these women and their view of death would never be the same. As we make preparations for our death and burial, may we be certain, because of our assurance of salvation by believing in Jesus Christ, that it is a temporary arrangement, not final plans. This Easter, remember that Jesus is alive, death has lost its victory and the grave has been denied!
Dear Lord, thank you that the resurrection changes everything we know about death. May we be in preparation, not for our final plans, but our heavenly home. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Brad Boyer
Cape Community Church