Today’s scripture: Matthew 27:57-66 (NRSV) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Ben Lamb):
Have you ever been faced with a monumental decision and didn’t know what to do? How about “What should be done with the lifeless body of the Son of God?”
This is one of the more gut-wrenching passages of the Bible for me to read; I’m gradually drawn into it in a 1st-person sense while reading it. Among other points in this passage, we have Joseph — a disciple who risked his life and fortune to request to take possession of Jesus’ lifeless body. That act, alone, had to have outed him and possibly ruined his reputation forever. But, he didn’t let it prevent him from honoring his Lord in a final act of caring and compassion.
I can’t begin to imagine what it must have been like to lean a ladder against the cross and climb up there. Then to tug and pull out the nails from Jesus’ hands and feet, ripping the dead man’s flesh even more, and seeing additional blood come spilling out onto Joseph’s own hands. I wonder if Joseph was ever able to keep from crying whenever he butchered an animal or carved dinner meat after that day.
When I think of the two women — each named Mary — who were sitting across from the tomb which Joseph willingly forfeited for Jesus, I picture them too shaken to do anything except gaze in shock as Joseph carries the rag doll-limp body of Jesus which he’d just finished wrapping in burial cloths. As Joseph, I’d feel so odd while winding the final strips of material over my friend’s face; kind of like I were suffocating him, even though I knew he was already dead. But still, it had been such a short time ago that I’d seen him alive; was it all a horrible nightmare from which I’ll soon wake up? And then as I go to lay him on his final resting spot, and turn around to leave the sepulcher and ultimately desert him, I slam a door of rock across the only means of escape for him. . .
When I’m outside again, the two women and I unsuccessfully attempt to console one another throughout our relentless wailings and endless tears.
This was, indeed, a scenario for which there was no established set of etiquette rules, nor any type of precedent. How’d they know what to do?
Some might say they were following their established “bury before sundown” tradition. Some would say it was prophesy being inescapably fulfilled. Others have additional opinions. But, you know what? One thing that they all have in common is this: Jesus was being shown honor.
That’s what I want to try to do in my own life: honor Jesus in all that I do. It’s part of what I believe to be inherent in being a Christian.
Thought for the day: Jesus, whenever I’m faced with a “What’ll I do?!” moment, may my actions be sure to honor you.
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.