Good Friday Remembrance

[Bishop Dave Brauer-Rieke]

John 19

"After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there."

[bruce metcalf]

what I find interesting is that none of the disciples helped ?? probably out of fear of arrest?? Jesus had told them the flock would be scattered and they were!!! And also if these disciples had believed that Jesus would rise from the dead ,,wouldn't they have stood in watch at the tomb??Even the women most have not believed as they came on the 3rd day to finish the burial process?? We have the advantage of knowing the outcome so we came see the joy through the pain !! and for that I'm thankful !!

[Debra Schulz]

It's interesting that a "secret disciple" of Jesus and a man who "first came to Jesus by night" are the two that prepared the Lord's body for burial. Interesting also that they were both men of very high ranking in the Jewish temple...the same group that demanded His crucifixion.
This was a very tearful Good Friday for me. Weepy. My heart grieved not only for Jesus, giving up all He had/all He was for all He loved...whether they loved Him back or not. But I also grieved for His followers. They didn't see this coming. What a shock. They didn't know the rest of the story...yet. I have been taking care of mom full time for a few years now. I know what's coming...no shock there. Lately I've been talking with the funeral home, my pastor and my family, making preparations for mom's burial. Taking care of business...like Joseph and Nicodemus. Certainly, I will also grieve when mom dies...just as the disciples did. (We have been not only mother and daughter...but partners in life, especially over the last 20 years.) However...I know the rest of the story! Sweet, sweet joy! True comfort. Praise the Lord!