John 19:38-42 (KJV)
And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
Devotion
The lectionary for this, notably, the saddest day in the Christian year because of the crucifixion and death of Jesus, includes four Psalms; passages from the mournful Lamentations by the prophet Jeremiah; a sermon from Peter that reminds that we are saved by Jesus; Jesus’ warning in John 13 that Peter will forsake him three times before morning. I am at a loss as to why these passages would draw us to think about our duty to provide hospitality and service to others. The Old Testament passages call only on members of the Jewish tribes.
But then we get to John 19:38 to 42. Joseph of Arimathea, an apparently rich disciple along with co-conspirator Nicodemus, ask permission of Pilate to remove the body of Jesus from Gethsemane. Surely this was a bold move; how would Pilate react? Or how would the Jewish leaders react? But they did it, and they put Jesus’ body in an unused sepulcher. The story of the resurrection now has a stage for its first scene, and it is about to begin. This bold act presages the many bold acts of the disciples and other proselytizers throughout the New Testament, including those preaching to and serving non-Jews – “others” – throughout the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern world. That is the lesson on this Good Friday. Reach out and serve others in our community and the world. Lewinsville Presbyterian and we members and doing just that.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we regularly encounter reminders of your charge to serve others in our community and our world. Many times, we forget or ignore your command to us. Please don’t lose patience. We will listen. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen
Jim Edmondson