What Did Jesus Say?

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Joseph from Arimathea was one of Jesus' disciples. He had kept it secret though, because he was afraid of the Jewish leaders. But now he asked Pilate to let him have Jesus' body. Pilate gave him permission, and Joseph took it down from the cross.

Nicodemus also came with about 30 kilograms of spices made from myrrh and aloes. This was the same Nicodemus who had visited Jesus one night. The two men wrapped the body in a linen cloth, together with the spices, which was how the Jewish people buried their dead. In the place where Jesus had been nailed to a cross, there was a garden with a tomb that had never been used. The tomb was nearby, and since it was the time to prepare for the Sabbath, they were in a hurry to put Jesus' body there.

John 19:38-42

A memorial service for Jesus did not happen when they put Him in the tomb. Joseph and Nicodemus simply asked for His body and quickly put it in the grave. These verses imply that there was no time for a funeral because the Sabbath was soon to start and who would show up for a funeral for Jesus anyway? Everyone must have been afraid that showing up for a funeral might prove to be a death sentence for the followers of Jesus.

It was Friday afternoon when Jesus died and by Sunday morning He would no longer be in the grave. There was only one full day when Jesus was not among the living. That Saturday was filled with gloom, despair and helplessness for all who knew and loved Jesus. There is no indication that any of them, even though Jesus had told them, expected the resurrection.

That makes me want to carefully read the scriptures again looking for things that Jesus said, but I didn't really hear! If the disciples had "heard" what Jesus said about rising from the grave they would have been spared lots of grief and pain. Are there any of today's problems in my life that trouble me because I have not listened to the Words of Jesus?

"Lord Jesus, remind me again today of Your Words and help me know how Your Words relate to my circumstances. And Jesus help me to believe every Word that comes from You, especially the part about You coming back to get me! Praise Your Name forever! Amen."