The Evening

When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had become a disciple of Jesus. He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus' body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the Rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. Matthew 27:57-67

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Jose were reputed to be at the crucifixion. Matthew places them seated, outside the tomb. It had been a hard, devastating day. Drained and numb with grief, these two women oversaw the settling of Jesus' body into it's resting place. They had plans to come back on Sunday, after the Sabbath, to prepare His body properly for burial.

Have you been through a hard draining day, when perhaps through an unexpected accident or a sudden illness, you lose the one you love. The day presents a fire to walk through, it is intense and rips at your emotions from every side. At times it can be so fast you struggle to breathe and keep up.

These women watched the unbelievable as their Lord was whipped and made carry a cross to Calvary. The noise of the crowd, the shouting, jeering, crying. The violent soldiers pushing and hitting to keep Him moving, hurling abuse. And then, suddenly He turns and tells you not to weep for Him, He prophesies about the coming destruction of Jerusalem. Where did that come from? His Spirit! You want to help, to touch, to soothe, to offer water, surely He looks so thirsty, so hot, so drained, how can you help?

And now, the noise is gone, together you sit and watch Joseph and are grateful for his quiet efficiency, his honour of your Lord. You had worried about Jesus' body and what to do, but here Joseph was, he had it all in hand. Thank You Father!

Weakly you rise to move away, so tired, so weary. Numbly you stumble home. So quiet! So, so sad!