The Tomb

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. (Matthew 27:57-61 ESV).

We know very little of what might have happened during the time from the placement of Jesus’ body in the tomb and the time of the resurrection. However, our reading today describes how Jesus came to be placed in such a tomb. It was not an ordinary grave. It was the tomb of a wealthy family. It would have been large and located in a very prominent place. Jospeh of Arimathea was granted permission to take Jesus’ body and place it inside awaiting the passing of the Sabbath when it could be properly interred. Pilate received the enemies of Jesus and heard their concern that some of his disciples might try and steal the body away. He orders it closed by guards and sealed so that no doubt of the death of Jesus could remain. So, here we find Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sitting in front of this sealed and guarded tomb, mourning the death of Jesus. Friday ends and the Sabbath Saturday begins. The grave contains Jesus’ cold, dead body. It ought to cause us to wonder at the way nothing seems to be happening at the gravesite on that day. In fact, the only ones to attend the grave are those guards who must have been embittered to have drawn such duty. Surely this was no place for a soldier of the mightiest empire in the known world. The religious leaders rested in their homes, certain that they had dealt with the heretic finally. Judas Iscariot fell into deep remorse and depression, ultimately taking his life. The disciples, who had pledged their lives to protect, Jesus are secreted away, huddling together in fear of further reprisal. Peter must have been wondering how he could ever atone for the denial of Jesus just hours before. The women must have been preparing the necessary spices and linen for final burial the next day. They may have been weeping together in their sorrow; however, no one was rejoicing in anticipation of the event to come on Sunday morning. Death had invaded their lives. However, this death would bring life. If they could’ve just remembered what he said, perhaps it would have been a different scene. Perhaps there would have been many more than these two women gathered at that sealed tomb. I wonder. Where will you be tomorrow morning? What will you celebrate? The cause for celebration is clear. We now have life! And, nothing, nor anyone can keep us from that life!