No Regrets
Opening Prayer
On this day between crucifixion and resurrection, bring to God your prayers and deepest longings.
Read John 19:38-42
[38] Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. [39] He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. [40] Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. [41] At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. [42] Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. 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
Who cared for Jesus' body and why?Have you ever had regrets that perhaps you had let someone down or failed to do what you should have done in a particular situation? In today’s reading, Jesus’ body is cared for by two people who were, perhaps, full of regret: Joseph, who had failed to reverse the Jewish leaders’ decision to crucify Jesus (Luke 23:51), and Nicodemus, the secret disciple who had earlier also tried unsuccessfully to protect Jesus (7:50-52). Having tried, but apparently failed, they now did what they could to serve the crucified King. With generosity, sensitivity and tenderness (39,40), they anointed his body, and Joseph donated the only thing that Jesus now lacked, a tomb (Matt. 27:59,60). Regret can crush us and hold us back, or it can lead to repentance–a turning to renewed action and purpose (2 Cor. 7:10). There is always someone, like Jesus on Easter Saturday, who needs our generous service. As the old blues song says, “There’s no future in the past.” So take a cue from Joseph and Nicodemus. Don’t get stuck bemoaning your own past; move on to bless someone’s future!
Apply
Is there some regret holding back your service to others in Christ’s name? If so, give it to God now.
Closing prayer
Pray with David: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me…” (Psa. 51:10).
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