Watching the tomb...

 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb.
 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, ‘He has risen from the dead,’ and the last fraud will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.
(Matthew 27:61-66 ESV)
Today is the day of watching... watching the tomb of Jesus.  Some, like the women, are watching in hopeful anticipation.  Maybe they really did not expect Him to rise again, but they did anticipate having something more to do with Jesus.  The leaders were watching for another reason. They wanted NOTHING MORE to do with Jesus.  Rather than watching the tomb in hope, they were watching with every negative emotion possible: fear, hate, and whether they chose to admit it or not, guilt.  Take time today to think about the tomb on that day, what has happened to this point, what is happening even now as Jesus fights against death and the sin that brings it, and what our response should be tomorrow when we celebrate its emptiness.

A fitting memorial...

John 19:39-42 Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. 
Like Joseph, Nidodemus was a silent follower of Jesus.  But when he came forward, he did so big time.  This was no mere reactionary activity - both men were very serious about what they were doing - honoring one in Whom they had faith, and they were very detailed in making sure it was done right.  And they still did it in a way that would not bring offense to those around them - making sure it was done to not violate the holy day, and being culturally sensitive.  As we commemorate what Christ has done for us today, may we do so the same way - quietly, seriously, worshipfully, and in a way that brings Glory to the One Who died for me, while at the same time not offending those around us.

Quite a guy...

 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. (John 19:38 ESV)
One cannot fully appreciate the man Joseph, without surveying all four gospels.  Matthew describes him as a rich man AND a disciple.  From what Jesus had said about the rich, this alone makes Joseph an extraordinary man!  Mark adds that he was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin, who was looking for the kingdom of God, and he patiently waited permission while Jesus' death was confirmed by the centurion on duty.(That meant he was awkwardly conspicuous as people would see him waiting there and wonder why he was there.)  Luke describes him as good and righteous, and that he had not voted with the rest in condemning Jesus to death.  The one "negative" here in John's account is that he was a "secret" disciple, becuase he feared the Jew.  Before we jump on Joseph for that, let's keep in mind that this phrase was used to describe the disciples hiding in the room behind closed doors after the resurrection!   Joseph loved and followed Jesus, seeking to serve Him in any way possible.  Let us not snub him for being a snobbish rich man; let us not point the accusing finger calling him a coward; let us follow his example of what it means to follow and serve Jesus. 

Stand back and see...

John 19:31-37 Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a high day, the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. He who saw it has borne witness—his testimony is true, and he knows that he is telling the truth—that you also may believe. For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” And again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they have pierced.”
The onlookers gave their perspective as they watched Jesus die.  Now John, who is bearing witness of what he saw, chimes in.  He saw the fulfillment of God's promises in every detail - the unbroken bones, the piercing of the Lamb, the overall picture that "God is doing something here."  May The Lord help us stand back and take it all in as we look at what Christ has done for us.

Onlookers...

Luke 23:47-49 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.

Luke summarizes well the responses of those who witnessed Christ's death.  This centurion, who had witnessed everything from the trials of Jesus on, attests to Jesus' inncence, and in the other Gospels, to His being the Son of God.  It was a brief, but intense time with Jesus that convinced Him of this.  The crowds, rather than being relieved that some criminal would bother them no more, were now realizing this was just not right.  And those who followed Him, even if from a distance, were in a daze.  Maybe in a sense we should have a mix of all these emotional responses as we look back on Christ's suffering and sacrifice - it was unjust, unthinkable, but so true to Who He is as the Son of God.  Amazing Grace indeed.

In good hands...

Luke 23:44-46 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last.
This was indeed the darkest day ever - not only had the Jewish leaders rejected the Messiah; God the Father was turning His back on Him as He carried our sin.  It was an ugly picture indeed - one you would want the lights to be out for.  But in the midst of that deep darkness God's love shone through -  the Son knew He was still there, fully aware, ready to receive Him.  He could release His live into His hands, knowing He was safe there.  So can we.

The Big Question

 Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And some of the bystanders, hearing it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine, and put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink. But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit.  (Matthew 27:45-50 ESV)
In all the struggles of life, the big question is always this: "Why? Why is this happening to me?" As Christ cried out this question, the answer was very clear to Him.  I truly beleive He cried out these words on our behalf.  Why did He have to experience such separation from the Father?  And the answer is very clear.  We need only look in the mirror.