Jesus' burial

 

THU Evening Prayer Reflection 073020 (Matt 27:55-66)

Women were amongst the witnesses of Jesus death. They had followed Jesus for a while. Perhaps they were tired from the ordeal that started the night before. They walked a lot, so they must have been tired at the end of that day. These women were boldly stuck to Jesus in the dark hour of his ordeal and death. It was not convenient friendship; it was real friendship and genuine love. That kind of love that can withstand all obstacles, that kind of love that doesn’t disappear when one is facing the worst possible execution of his time. This teaches me once more that even though everyone may abandon you, but God would never abandon us. It must have been horrifying to watch Jesus execution: The women were still there. Christ’s strength was made perfect in them, so they can overcome heart-wrenching moments of deep sorrow; mockery, earthquake and total darkness. They went through it all. Don’t you wish you had a friend like that?

Jesus’ burial was a decent one. He was born a King, died a King and buried as a King. Who we are, and our character in Christ is still very valuable both in God’s Kingdom as well as here on earth, because Christ lives in us. I learned that Pilate only released the body of Jesus for burial after making sure that he was really dead. So, there was no doubt: Jesus was dead. The burial had to be done that evening since the next day, it was Sabbath.

Here comes our person of Interest: Joseph of Arimathea. Who was he? The Bible tells us that he was a rich man, but the disciples of Jesus didn’t seem to be people of great means, which is interesting to know that even at his death, people were coming out showing that they were loyal to this friend: Jesus. Since Joseph possessed a brand-new tomb, he figured, it would be fit for the task of a King’s burial. I imagine when you are rich, often enough you are very well connected. So, Joseph went to Pilate to ask permission to bury Jesus’s body. You would be surprised to know that you have important connections that can be helpful to someone else. How do we utilize our connections? For the glory of God? This is definitely the case. Joseph of Arimathea, used his connections well for a great cause.

People from other continents are often weary of a Gospel that seems to glorify the poor, saying God likes only the poor. [I can only speak from an African perspective] This is because they feel somehow, that this encourages people to stay in poverty. It is a question of interpretation. Surely all oppressors would benefit when the oppressed is satisfied with their situation or when they are compliant despite injustices. In the case of Joseph of Arimathea, we have no reason to suspect any of that complex rich/poor relationship. He must have been truly a loyal follower of Jesus judging from how he took care of all the affairs that evening. Who was Jesus for him? That is the question. Was He a poor Rabbi he merely knew? Or he had come to truly digest his teachings and understood that He was his savior. We will never know.

I feel we are being encouraged to use our wealth for God’s service just like Joseph. At another time, Jesus disciples met a man with a colt [a young donkey] they were allowed to borrow it for Jesus’ use because frankly, what in the world that Jesus doesn’t own? Contrary to what many people may believe about their own wealth, if you live in the North America, or Europe, you are most likely wealthier than most people in other countries, if you are sheltered and can eat and sleep peacefully. You are very fortunate. Joseph is our teacher. By the way we came to know him, it suggests that Jesus has many secret followers that we are unaware of. History shows that there were Christian believers in the service of the Roman Emperor. If you ever get stuck in an unpleasant or hopeless situation, don’t despair, have faith, know that God has people everywhere.

Be blessed.