THINK TOGETHER.
Have you ever visited or been to a grave?
READ TOGETHER.
John 19:38-42. 38After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. 39Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. 40So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
Jesus was a real person. Jesus really did die. And he really was buried in a tomb.
That’s what this passage is about, the burial of Jesus. Usually, when people were crucified on a cross, they were considered to be terrible people. People that were unworthy of a funeral or a burial, or even a grave.
If you’ve ever been to a funeral or seen a grave, you might know that when a person dies they are usually taken very good care of by those who loved them. There might be a beautiful grave stone marking where the person is buried. Maybe flowers are there or other special items.
In Jesus’ day people were not buried underground like they are today. Instead, they were placed inside of a family tomb, like a cave. Like it says in today’s scripture, they would be wrapped in cloths with all kinds of spices and ointments. Then they would be carefully laid inside of that tomb.
Crucified people were never treated this nicely. The bodies of the crucified were just thrown into a pit. That’s why Joseph of Arimathea had to ask Pilate, the governor, for the body of Jesus, because the Jewish religious leaders would have want Jesus thrown into that pit. But Joseph and Nicodemus, two rich and powerful men, buried Jesus in Joseph’s brand new tomb. Not a criminal’s grave, but a rich man’s tomb.
Isn’t it cool to see how much Joseph and Nicodemus loved Jesus? All the other disciples have run away or are hiding in the shadows. But Joseph, who used to hide for fear of the Jews (v.38), is now boldly claiming Jesus as his own in front of everyone. And Nicodemus, who came to Jesus at night, in secret (Day 13), is now courageously caring for the body of Jesus in front of everyone.
What gave them this courage to show their love for Jesus in front of others? John’s gospel doesn’t say, but we can imagine that when they saw Jesus’ great love for them on the cross, it sparked their great love for him in return.
What about you? Does seeing Jesus’ great love for you on the cross make you want to show your great love for him, even in front of others who might oppose you?
Because of Jesus we know we are loved by God.
With Jesus we can boldly show our love for him and God.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Is there a grave close by that you can visit? How do grave sites show that a person was loved and cared for?
PRAY TOGETHER
Father, I know you love me so much that you would send Jesus to die for me. Help me to love you and love others in the same way, every day. Amen.
TLICfamily 