Day of Preparation

Today’s Reading: John 19:41-42 (NIV)

41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb. 42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

Good morning!

There is nothing that prepares us adequately for the realities of death. For loved ones left behind, regrets can become overwhelming. It washes over our hearts like breaking waters moving rapidly inward, causing our footsteps to disappear right behind us as we walk along the edge of the beach. Life is short. Death will come touch every one of us someday, whether we are prepared for it or not.

The day of preparation had begun; Passover was eminent. The Roman soldiers had left their work behind, completing the grizzly executions. On a hill overlooking the city of Jerusalem, where the crowd could not escape the sights and sounds of suffering and shame, onlookers watched from the hillside below as three convicted criminals were hung high; their naked bodies impaled upon wooden crosses for the whole world to see. Sunset was fast approaching. It was time for the Jews to return home for Sabbath worship and rest. Just like their ancestors experienced long ago in Egypt, the angel of death had swept over their world once again.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus could not bear to let Christ’s body hang on the cross over the Sabbath. Both were respected members of the Jewish council; yet, they felt compelled to properly prepare Jesus’ body for burial according to Jewish custom. As the crowds disappeared, they hurried to bring Jesus down from the cross, laying his body in a garden tomb nearby. Quickly wrapping what was left of His flesh, they bathed his body with myrrh and aloes, covering him in strips of linen cloth. They were determined to finish the preparation before the Son completely disappeared in the western sky. Even with their combined knowledge and sage wisdom, they were unable to comprehend the morbid events of the last twelve hours. With tears streaming down their cheeks, they expressed their own personal guilt for not having stopped this man’s murder.

Later that evening, Jewish families went through mindless acts of worship, all the while, wondering where hope had gone. Could the cruel events of this week somehow have been changed? Why did death come to teacher? He did nothing but daily share His Father's love with our world. How could we have turned on Him after all He did to heal our people and restore the land? If we only had one more day in the presence of Jesus…

The day of preparation is here. The reality of death is passing over, whether we are ready or not. Are you prepared for the night that is coming? Do you know where hope has gone?

Grace and peace,

Deb Spaulding

Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO

www.songofdeborah.com

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