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The Benefit of Death

Today’s scripture: Mark 15:42-47 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)

As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.

My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):

The death of Jesus was so sorrowful and frightening that they who were most intimately connected to the Savior could not bear to do customary burial preparations.  So Joseph of Arimathea, with no regard for the naysayers, did that which was appropriate for His burial. I believe if Joseph were a poet, he might have written something like this about the death of Christ:

Master oh Master release Thy grip
In to the arms of death gracefully slip

I, Joseph of Arimathea, will be there in haste
Delicately preparing your body, adorning your frozen face.

Now that you have passed over I am filled with joy
This is anticipation to the hilt
Although I was among the many sorrowful
at the ground whereupon Your blood was spilt.

I didn’t want to see you go but I knew that it had to be
For without this death and burial, sinners would never experience God’s victory.

Thus I am so filled with joy no words can describe
It is through death that I too shall rise.

I do not mean to seem annoyed for that is far from my reason for this obsession
For if I don’t quickly get you buried, then I will delay the resurrection.

Thought for the day: How have I benefited from Christ’s death?

We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.