Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. . . they laid Jesus there. (NIV) John 19:40-42
After hanging on the cross for nearly 6 hours, Jesus bows His head and breathes His last breathe. As evening approaches, a rich man named Joseph, boldly goes to Pontius Pilate and asks for Jesus’ body. Joseph is a prominent member of the Jewish Supreme Court, who secretly has become a disciple of Jesus. Pilate orders Jesus’ body to be given to Joseph.
Joseph, accompanied by Nicodemus, takes down the body, wraps it in a clean linen cloth. Then he places it in a new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolls a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and goes away. Mary Magdalene and some other women had followed Joseph, see the tomb where Jesus’ body is laid. Friday evening comes to an end with not much to look forward to on Saturday. . .
That’s it – here’s a man who lived a good life, but died a criminal’s death. Jesus’ disciples were most likely trying to make new plans for their futures. Hope was gone, He had died on the cross. End of story. . . or so it seems. Little did they know what Sunday would bring! Jesus Christ back from the dead!
Are you in a waiting mode? waiting for circumstances to change? for health to be restored? for a spouse to begin a relationship with Christ? for a child to return to God? As you wait, where are your eyes? Are they on “Saturday’s” circumstances? or on “Sunday’s” hope?
The disciples were only seeing what the present moment brought. . . despair and disappointment. We know the rest of the story. . . that on Easter morn, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. . . once and for all defeating death and offering hope to all who believe in Him. If you feel like you’re experiencing “Saturday’s waiting mode”, look for Jesus and know without a doubt that in Him you have a glorious eternal future!
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