Daily Reading: John 19
Scripture Focus: Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19.41-42)
Devotional Thought: Black Saturday, the day between Good Friday and Easter, was "the darkest day in history." Jesus lay silent in the darkness of the tomb.
Reflect on the tomb of Jesus...
• It was in the place of death. Joseph's tomb was close to where Jesus died. It seems that death is not far off from where we live out our lives. The journey of life ends at the tomb. But is that the end?
• It was in a garden. There are two perspectives on this. Is the place of life (a garden) defined by the place of death (a tomb)? Or, is the presence of a garden in the place of death, the sign of a promise from God? In the midst of suffering and death, is it possible to hope in new life? Yes!
• No one had yet been laid there. Jesus' death is unique in kind. His death was the archetype for all spiritual death to follow. The good news, is that Jesus laid in the darkness of that tomb for you and for me!
• It was borrowed. The death Jesus died was not his to die. He willingly took on our death, so that he might give us his life. Hallelujah!
• It was close at hand. This reminds us in the words of the Apostle Peter, "The end of all things is at hand" (1 Peter 4.7). Each day we need to live with the end in mind.
• They laid Jesus' body there. It was your sin and mine that cost Jesus his life. "You were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Corinthians 6.20).
Prayer: Thank you, Jesus, that your body laid in the still darkness of the tomb - for my sake and the sake of the entire world. Help me to remember this day and to dedicate my life to live for you. Amen.
Psalm of the Day: Psalm 38.1-8
1 O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, nor discipline me in your wrath! 2 For your arrows have sunk into me, and your hand has come down on me.
3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. 4 For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.
5 My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness, 6 I am utterly bowed down and prostrate; all the day I go about mourning. 7 For my sides are filled with burning, and there is no soundness in my flesh. 8 I am feeble and crushed; I groan because of the tumult of my heart.
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