Joseph of Arimathea

All the time Jesus was alive, I followed him but didn’t do anything. I just listened at the back and believed in my heart that he really is the messiah we have been waiting for. But now this most devastating thing has happened. He has been crucified.

I wanted to help but I didn’t know how. I had always been a little stung by what Jesus said about the rich – he said it would be almost impossible for us to enter the Kingdom of God. 

But now it’s come to me. I have a beautiful tomb that’s been cut out for me and my family. He can have that. I don’t want it now. My family don’t deserve it. Jesus does. He always said that he didn’t have a place to lay his head. I can give him that. 

I need to see Pilate. I think he will see me. He knows I’m a rich man and money talks for the Romans. He will let me bury Jesus. Let Jesus have my tomb. It’s the least I can do.

Prayer for Saturday:

Jesus, take my place. Take my tomb. 

Let me die with you that I might also rise with you.

Let me die to myself and be raised to your new life.

Amen.

The Burial of Jesus

  As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.