Focus

Slow your breathing and become aware of the taking in and letting out of your breath. Focus on putting things aside so you will be open to what God is saying to you today.

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Read

John 19:38-42 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

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Reflect

In this scripture, we see Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus both come to take Jesus down from the cross and give him a proper burial. Not only where these two stepping out in front of the other Jewish leaders as believers in Christ, but by touching a dead body, they would be defiling themselves so that they wouldn’t be able to attend the Passover celebration. But here is the “Good news” for both of these guys and all of us, is that Jesus’s death on the cross would pay for all sin, making him the “Lamb of God” he is the new Passover for all of us, as well as Joseph and Nicodemus. From that day forward there would be no more animal sacrifice for sin, for “Jesus paid it all”.

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Pray

Thank you God for sending your son down from his glory to come into this world, not only to be a guiding light and example for us all, but to be the ultimate sacrifice, the true “Lamb of God”. Also, thank you for all the saints before us, paving a path of faith for us to follow…Amen

Go with God!