Holy Saturday

John 19:38-42

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

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At first blush this passage seems very straightfoward - a factual accounting of Joseph and Nicodemus preparing Jesus' body for burial. There is no conversation, no controversy; there are only two adjectives to give depth to what is happening. But I think what is more compelling is what is not said. This must have been a time of such great confusion, fear, and despair on the part of the disciples. They had put their full faith - staked their lives and reputations - on this Jesus being the long-awaited Messiah, and now he was dead. What do you do, and where do you turn, when for all the evidence you can glean it seems your God is dead?

I find it interesting that those who asked Pilate for Jesus' body and buried him were not Jesus' right hand men. John and Peter and the other "main characters" we know so well are not even mentioned. Instead, it is Joseph and Nicodemus who step up to fufill Jewish tradition and give Jesus a proper burial. I think I probably would have been somewhere with John and Peter - in utter despair and fearing for my life.

I think the lesson here is for those times when it seems like God is dead, or just busy or unconcerned or distant. It is such a great reminder that we just don't see the bigger and more glorious picture - that in our times of darkness and confusion God is working a grand plan of salvation. While the disciples were hiding and mourning, Christ was overcoming the curse of death and bearing our punishment that we might be saved. They just didn't get it, and most of the time I think I am barely grasping on to that truth too. I pray that as we prepare to celebrate Easter we will remember this truth: that when it seems like all hope is lost, God is doing his most glorifying work.