David Bahn – Reflections

John 19:38-42

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. ³⁹ Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. ⁴⁰So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. ⁴¹Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. ⁴²So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.

There are times when we are forced to power down. Most often this is due to human frailty and physical limitations. We get sick. We run out of gas. Loved ones require our care and other concerns of life must be laid aside. Sometimes discipleship means laying our burdens down. This was surely true for Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. There was nothing in the moment they could do to further the cause of Christ’s kingdom than give his body a resting place. So they did that.

The important thing to remember in such times is that while we may lay our burdens down, God’s work goes on. Jesus’ rest in the tomb was important as clear evidence of his death. The burial was important for the disciples as an expression of their love for Jesus. The mixture of myrrh and aloes, linen cloths, the garden tomb, and burial of Jesus all honor his life and ministry. And so this chapter of the story comes to an end.

We know that this is not the end of Jesus’ story. We know he will rise from the dead. But in this moment it is helpful to embrace the reality of Jesus’ death and end of his ministry. Although the story does not end here, it does pause here. Once in a while we do well to pause. Once in a while it is good for us to embrace the reality of sin and death; it is all around us after all. But even in the midst of death Jesus deserves our honor and love.

He also deserves our faith. He has died well. His body is resting in the tomb. We do well to wait for the next chapter. For it will come. And even when it all seems ended we will turn the page, and find a new beginning. In the mean time we do well to honor Jesus as best we can. He deserves it.