At the Graveside
Opening Prayer
Dear Jesus, may I boldly walk out my faith in You today.
Read Mark 15:42–47
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[42] It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, [43] Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. [44] Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. [45] When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. [46] So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. [47] Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid. Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Can you think of a time when you were afraid to share publicly about your faith in Jesus? Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council who had tried Jesus, buthe didn’t support the decision to crucify Jesus. John tells us that Joseph was a secret disciple forfear of the Jews (John 19:38). With him is Nicodemus, who had secretly gone to Jesus at nightseeking answers about “being born again” (John 3:1–21). Now they both “go public,” askingPilate’s permission to bury Jesus’ body.The centurion, who only a short time before had confessed, “Surely, this man was the Son ofGod,” assures Pilate that Jesus has already died. For Jews, burial was an important and solemnevent. It had to be carried out before the Sabbath that began that Friday evening. Joseph andNicodemus have to work quickly—they wrap Jesus’ body in cloths and place him in the tomb cutout of the rock, rolling the stone against the entrance to the tomb. Through this public act ofservice, the faith of two leading Jewish men has come out into the open. Yet little could theyhave imagined what was to happen after the Sabbath day!Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council who had tried Jesus, but he didn’t support the decision to crucify Jesus. John tells us that Joseph was a secret disciple for fear of the Jews (John 19:38). With him is Nicodemus, who had secretly gone to Jesus at night seeking answers about “being born again” (John 3:1–21). Now they both “go public,” asking Pilate’s permission to bury Jesus’ body. The centurion, who only a short time before had confessed, “Surely, this man was the Son of God,” assures Pilate that Jesus has already died. For Jews, burial was an important and solemn event. It had to be carried out before the Sabbath that began that Friday evening. Joseph and Nicodemus have to work quickly—they wrap Jesus’ body in cloths and place him in the tomb cut out of the rock, rolling the stone against the entrance to the tomb. Through this public act of service, the faith of two leading Jewish men has come out into the open. Yet little could they
have imagined what was to happen after the Sabbath day!
Apply
How can you show those around you today that you are a follower of Christ?
Closing prayer
Holy Spirit, help the private, secret faith of many people be publicly declared in today’s secular and divided world.
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