Saturday: Jesus is Buried By Adam Miller

The day after Jesus died would have been extremely quiet. For everyone who attending Jesus’ trial and execution, there would have been an uneasy feeling. Even the centurion, tasked with crucifying Jesus, was astounded by Jesus. (Matthew 27:54) The Bible does not tell us what happened with the disciples after Jesus died. For fear of their own lives, they probably kept themselves hidden. There was one follower of Jesus who was not embarrassed to show public loyalty. Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and requested Jesus’ body for burial and just as Jesus had come into this world wrapped in swaddling clothes in a rented manger, so He would end His life wrapped in burial clothes in a borrowed tomb.

The Pharisees were not satisfied with their gruesome vic­tory. They went to Pilate and complained that Jesus had said He would rise from the dead, and they did not want Jesus’ disciples getting any ideas, so they set up a guard over the tomb. Ironically enough, the Pharisees remem­bered Jesus’ teachings, while His disciples seemed to forget what He had just told them days before.

As we reflect on this quiet day, maybe it would be best if we take some quiet as well to reflect back on the stories leading up to Christ’s death. Not only had Jesus claimed multiple times that He would have to die and rise again, but the whole of the Old Testament was leading up to this point where the Messiah would come and save the world. Did the disciples really think that God’s plan could be twarted by a few corrupt leaders? How often do we forget that God’s plans are always perfect and that He will always keep His word?

In many ways, we are still living in this Saturday. Sure, the resurrection has brought us to newness of life and the Body of Christ continues its work through the Church, but we are still in a time of waiting for the promises of God to be fulfilled. Fortunately, we have a hopeful anticipation based on the promises of God that we can be certain He will fulfill.

Let us spend today looking forward to that glorious ap­pearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. (Titus 2:13)