The Tomb

Enduring the cross, despising the shame

The crowd shouted for Barabbas's release and Jesus's death. Pilate washed his hands of the whole thing. Jesus was beaten and mocked and hung on the cross in a violent act not unlike modern terrorism. The sky went dark, the ground shook, and everyone knew something had happened.

Come three o'clock, there was a body that needed to be buried. Sabbath was about to begin. Jewish tradition said the body must be buried right away. The Man on the cross had led a dozen close followers and touched the lives of thousands, but only one disciple remained, along with the women. The Man's own brothers were nowhere to be found. Undoubtedly, as devout Jewish men, they would have been in town for Passover, but they weren't there. Who would take responsibility for the body?

Joseph of Arimathea stepped forward. He's mentioned in all four gospels, but we don't know much about him. Mark 15:49 tells us he was a respected member of the council, the Sanhedrin; Matthew 27:57 tells us he was wealthy and, of course, had some level of power, as all the council did. He was seeking God, and Luke 23:50-56 tells us he didn't consent to this horrible murder. John 19:38 tells us he was a secret disciple of Jesus. He must have felt some compassion for this Man, the One they had all been waiting for. Maybe he felt confused. Maybe he felt lost.

Whatever he felt, Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and buried it in his own tomb. It was a new tomb, a tomb in which no one had ever been buried. It didn't yet carry the stink of death or caches of moldering bones. It had not yet been a cave of mourning. It was a new tomb.

We don't know what Joseph of Arimathea felt as he wrapped Jesus's body, contaminating himself, an upright Jew, by touching a corpse. We don't know if he and Nicodemus talked then or after. He isn't mentioned as coming to the tomb on the third day. He isn't mentioned as being with the other disciples; after all, he was a secret believer.

What did he think and feel when he heard the news? I wonder if he laughed a great belly laugh. "Yes, of course!" It was only a borrowed tomb.

Today we recall a dark day and a borrowed tomb. Don't miss the significance of this day, this day of Jesus's sacrifice and Jesus's sorrow. But rejoice that there is hope; Jesus endured the cross, despising the shame, looking toward the joy set before Him -- you and me.

On Friday, He borrowed a tomb. But it was only borrowed, and on Sunday He gave it back.