Sabbath rest

Mark 15:42-47

The Burial of Jesus

When evening had come, and 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 waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate wondered if he were already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead for some time. When he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where the body was laid.

Joseph of Arimathea

Waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God

offered what he had

- an empty tomb.

He wrapped the body in a linen cloth

sealed the tomb

and continued to wait.

Did he have the slightest inkling

of how God would usher in the kingdom?

Or were his actions those of a defeated hope?

Joseph of Arimathea

by doing what he could

and giving what he had

unwittingly,played a part

in the greatest story ever told.

But first....sabbath rest.

Prayer

God may we be willing to do what we can and to give what we have, especially when we cannot imagine the outcome. For your kingdom.