Today we are reading Mark 15. In this chapter we read about the trial, Crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus. The chapter concludes with the details of Jesus’ burial.“And when evening had come, 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 looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.” Mark 15:42-47 ESV With this brief description we read the details of Jesus’ burial. He was buried the same day that He died. There was no music. No funeral. No solemn gathering of friends and family. Only a few are mentioned. Joseph must have had help…with the awful task of removing the body from the cross. The bruised and bloodied body was lovingly wrapped in a burial shroud and placed in a stone tomb. Imagine if that was the end of the story…it is very important that we drink in the full cup of Jesus suffering and death. Allow these things to dominate your thoughts today. Thank you Jesus for doing this for me. Pastor Tim
