Listen

After this Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take away the body of Jesus. Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one because he feared the Jewish authorities. Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took the body away. Nicodemus, the one who at first had come to Jesus at night, was there too. He brought a mixture of myrrh and aloe, nearly seventy-five pounds in all. Following Jewish burial customs, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it, with the spices, in linen cloths. There was a garden in the place where Jesus was crucified, and in the garden was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish Preparation Day and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus in it.

John 19:38-42

Think

When I received the phone call that my ailing friend had taken a turn for the worse, I immediately booked the next flight to be with her. Hours later when I arrived at her home, I was surprised how peaceful it felt. Family and hospice nurses were quietly sitting next to her bed as my friend appeared to sleep.

I put my face close to my friend’s and said, “I’m so glad to be with you.” And with that a small smile came across her face. “How about I say prayer – would that be okay?” I offered a brief prayer and then my friend gave three deep breaths and went home to God.

Death is always hard. Yet when one is surrounded by loved ones and those whose vocation is to care for others in times of passing, it can be incredibly holy. May we be grateful for those who care for us in difficult times, and may we care for others when their journeys include times of hardship.

Brian Prior

Question to Ponder:

Who surrounds you in challenging times and who might you be there for in their challenging times?

Pray

Thank you, God, for those who surround me and those I love in particularly painful times. Today I specifically give thanks for…

Amen.

Go

Breathe in all that is behind you, all before you…

Begin your next steps of following Jesus on the journey to the cross.