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).
The picture I’ve chosen to accompany today’s devotional is known as “the Garden Tomb.” Should you visit Jerusalem, you will undoubtedly visit this beautiful garden and see this tomb. Many believe it is the tomb in which Jesus was buried. I must admit there is some convincing evidence to indicate that it could be the place. The other tomb that carries the belief of many is located underground beneath the Church of the Ascension. There is also a great deal of evidence that points to this spot. Regardless, the great truth is that they are both empty!
Today’s reading describes Jesus’ burial are important because they are solid evidence that Jesus truly died. He was neither unconscious nor in a coma. Both the centurion and Pilate would want proof positive that he was dead. Our salvation rests on this. “Christ … suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death …” (1 Peter 3:18).
Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the religious leaders’ council who had not consented to their decision to have Jesus crucified (cf. Luke 23:50-51). But the deed was done. Many would have thrown up their hands and said, “I did what I could,” and gone on with life. But Joseph resolved to do more. He “went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.” He sought permission to bury Jesus, and he buried him in the grave he had prepared for himself (cf. Matthew 27:60). Don’t lose sight of this truth. Jesus died, AND he rose again. This is the basis of our faith and hope!