Laid to Rest

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. These used to follow him and provided for him when he was in Galilee; and there were many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

When evening had come, and since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid. Mark 15:40-47 

There are things we dread doing, things we hate to face. The loss of a loved one, their death and dying, is among thoe things we never want to think about, never want to have to do. Yet we all do. And someone will have to do this for us. Death is such a very essential part of life. We pretend that it is not, all the while, knowing we are prestending.

Joseph of Arimathea enters the passion story, and uses his authority and position to claim the body of Jesus and provide a tomb. His family and friends were in shock with the events, paralyzed by the last days and hours. They did not want to believe what was and had happened. Fortunately, a loveing, thoughtful person stepped up when they could not. We are invited by God today to be the people who step up when others cannot, using what we can for the care of others.

Today, I ask God to help me use my position, my training and all that I have for the care of others. May those who are stunned, stuck, overwelmed and broken know the loving embrace of God this day.