Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 16, 2022
Read Matthew 28:57-66
The Burial of Jesus
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 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. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Guard at the Tomb
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Jesus said, “Into Your Hands, I commend my spirit. . . It is finished!”, and Jesus’ human life ended. When a human life ends, there are preparations to be made. If this death follows a long illness, the family is ready for a day of rest. If the death is unexpected, often the family needs time to process it, but in either case, those involved are in shock. As preparations are made, many experience a time of numbness during which you go through the motions of what must be done.
The disciples of Jesus had fled in terror and were in hiding. Most worried that they would be next. Only John and the women had stood by Jesus at the cross. Joseph of Arimethea, a pharisee, but a follower of Jesus, stepped up and arranged for the burial of Jesus. Mary Magdalene and Mary (Jesus’ mother) remained at the tomb.
Holy Saturday is the day of rest for all. It is the Sabbath. Despite the disbelief of the Pharisees regarding Jesus as the Messiah, they still worried that his disciples would fake a resurrection as Jesus had claimed by stealing and hiding the body of Jesus. They simply wanted to move on and away from this commotion created by Jesus. When sharing their concerns with Pilate, a guard was posted and would stay until the third day.
Today, we should take time to read Scripture and spend time with our Lord in reflection. Consider the pain and suffering that Christ endured as he bore our sins upon that cross. Reaffirm your faith as you prepare for the most important day of your life, the day that changed everything forevermore.
Loving and Gracious God, Thank You for loving us. There are not enough ways to thank you for our undeserved gift. Help us to share our gift with all. Thank You! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: For God so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
Joy Returns in the Morning! Pastor Liz
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