Day 7 | Jesus’ Burial
Lisa Scheffler, author
It must have felt like it was over. After Jesus cried out and drew his last breath, it was done, wasn’t it? Since we know how the story ends, we know that Easter is coming. We know that from death comes new life and mourning will turn to joy. But grieving, scared, and scattered, the disciples thought it was over.
Read
Matthew 27:57-66
57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
62 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Reflect
The other Gospels help us fill in the sketch of Joseph of Arimathea, the rich man who prepared a resting place for Jesus’ body. He was a member of the Jewish ruling counsel and a “secret” disciple.
The Pharisees arranged for Jesus’ tomb to be secured. Little did they know that they were actually providing evidence that would strengthen the disciples’ post-resurrection claims. How could they have faked the resurrection if the Roman military had secured and guarded the tomb?
However, at this point, no one seems to be taking the possibility of an actual resurrection seriously, in spite of what Jesus claimed. The Pharisees assumed anything that appeared miraculous would be a “hoax” and the disciples ran away, full of doubt and grief. The women remained and kept vigil over the body.
Historically, the Saturday between Good Friday and Easter is called “Holy Saturday” and it’s a day of reflection, waiting and asking, “what comes next?” There are times in our own lives that we will experience a personal “Holy Saturday.” We will all experience times when tragedy comes like a rogue wave and knocks us off our feet. Whether it’s a death, a financial crisis, an illness, or any other disaster, we’re left dizzy and disoriented, frightened, and unsure. The pain of loss and the uncertainty of the future is our own Holy Saturday. Perhaps you’re experiencing one now.
Christian, know that Easter Sunday’s coming. Our beloved Jesus, Savior and Lord, has defeated death. The tomb could not hold him! Resurrected by the Father, the risen Jesus is victorious over the forces of chaos, destruction, and decay. We may feel like we’re waiting an awfully long time for the stone to be rolled away and Jesus to emerge, but trust that the day will come. God will bring beauty from ashes and new life from death. If it feels like Saturday, rest in the knowledge that Sunday is on its way!
Pray
Take some time on this “Holy Saturday” to reflect, particularly if you are in a place of waiting or wondering “What comes next?” Spend some time with the Father, praise the Son for all the endured, and ask the Spirit to strengthen you and give you hope. Prepare your heart to celebrate the resurrection tomorrow!