READING: MATTHEW 27:57-66

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ‘Sir,’ they said, ‘we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, “After three days I will rise again.” So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.’

‘Take a guard,’ Pilate answered. ‘Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.’ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

REFLECTION

Are you good at waiting?

Waiting is part of life.  It can be boring and frustrating.  It reveals all kinds of things about who we are.

Our daughter, Hannah had an operation on her eyes some years ago.  An issue had developed and after many tests it became clear that the only option to fix the problem was an operation.  This was shortly before her third birthday.  I can remember the day clearly – it was defined by waiting.  Waiting in the hospital for her turn to go to the operating theatre.  Waiting in the little preparation room outside the theatre.  Waiting for around 3 hours while she was in surgery.

We were aware though that if the doctors didn’t operate on her eye her vision would be affected – she would see double for the rest of life.

While she was in surgery we didn’t know what to do.  So we just walked around.   We prayed for Hannah.  We had been told that Hannah’s doctor had a good reputation.  So I googled the doctor.  It turned out that Hannah’s doctor was the leading expert on the type of issue Hannah had.  She taught at Cambridge University and her research was bringing medical breakthroughs all over the world.  We knew that she was in good hands and we knew the Lord was with her and friends were praying.  That was such a help.  In the waiting we were hopeful.

In our passages today we are dealing with waiting.

We read today that Joseph of Arimetha a follower of Jesus has requested to have Jesus’ body so that he can place him in his own brand new tomb.   It’s an act of phenomenal love and devotion.

While the disciples are in despair the religious leaders – the Jerusalem power base are nervous.  Matthew 12:40 ‘the Son of Man will be for three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’.  Jesus has claimed he will rise again and they go to great measures to prevent this from happening.  They know Jesus’ resurrection will change everything.

While Jesus’ body lies in Joseph’s tomb – his soul descends ‘to the earth’ or down into ‘the earth’ or Hell.  The place where God isn’t – an awful, awful place.  It’s the enemy’s territory.  One bible commentator says it’s like Jesus rips off the gates of Hell.  Jesus defeats Satan. Death could not hold him.  Jesus is victorious.

God is working in the waiting.

From my own experience I know waiting is something that God uses to refine us and shape us.  It’s not always comfortable but I can testify that he is always working.

If you’re waiting for something today or you feel a dream or passion you had is just gathering dust on a shelf – have faith.  At one of the most critical junctures in Jesus’ life – the period between his death and his resurrection – it seemed there was silence but he was working in the waiting.

PRAYER

We thank you for this day.  If we find ourselves waiting I pray that we will know that you are working in our waiting. Amen.