John 19:38-42 (TPT) Jesus’ Burial
38 After this, Joseph from the city of Ramah, who was a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the Jewish authorities, asked Pilate if he could remove the body of Jesus. So Pilate granted him permission to remove the body from the cross. 39 Now Nicodemus, who had once come to Jesus privately at night, accompanied Joseph, and together they carried a significant amount of myrrh and aloes to the cross. 40 Then they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in strips of linen with the embalming spices according to the Jewish burial customs. 41 Near the place where Jesus was crucified was a garden, and in the garden there was a new tomb where no one had yet been laid to rest. 42 And because the Sabbath was approaching, and the tomb was nearby, that’s where they laid the body of Jesus.
Pause in his presence
Lenten Reflection: Jesus changes lives. Even through his death he changed lives. He changed the life of the repentant criminal who hung on the cross next to him. He changed the Roman centurion’s life as he watched Jesus take his last breath and realized he was truly the Son of God. And, Jesus changed Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus’s lives. How do we know? They came out of fear and hiding to ask the Romans for the body of Jesus so they could get it ready for burial. Yes, Jesus changes lives when we begin to understand his identity as Truth…as the Living God!
Prayer: Lord, life with you requires change. Thank you for laying down your life, so I could be changed by you from the inside out. In Jesus’ name. Amen.