By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

They Watched….

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“Then he (Joseph) took it (Jesus’ body) down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.”
Luke 23:53 New International Version

A secret disciple of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea, courageously asked for Jesus’ body from the governor.  He and Nicodemus lovingly took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb Joseph had cut out of the rock, a new tomb planned for his own burial.  As they placed the stone in front of the opening to the tomb, the women who had been at the cross watched in deep grief and sadness. Then just before the beginning of the Sabbath, all went home to pray and weep.

And so in this Holy Week we follow Jesus to the Upper Room, to Gethsemane, to the High Priest’s House, to the Governor’s Judgment Seat, through Jerusalem, and outside to Golgotha. And on Good Friday evening we stand outside the Tomb where they lay His lifeless body.  We stay in our homes, praying and meditating on the death of the innocent Lamb of God, who died to take away the sins of the world. We grieve at His death and repent of our sins that caused Him to take our punishment upon Himself.

In a culture that generally avoids death and dying and grief, we as believers take time to dwell upon the One who died for us. We do not shrink away from His suffering, His final words, His cry of anguish and victory.  And so we stand at the tomb, awaiting the Resurrection.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice.  We confess our sins and grieve Your death, even as we await Your rising to life.  Have mercy on us, O Jesus. Amen.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado