Today is February 7th.
 
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you.  

Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”  
 
Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John chapter 19.


Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.Taking Jesus’ body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
  

Both Jospeh and Nicodemus might be called conflicted. They were enamored with Jesus, they were curious about him, they were struck by what could only be the truth of what He said and did. And at the same time, they both seemed to be afraid of what followership of Jesus might mean for them, for their reputation, for their own sense of identity, maybe even for their physical safety. Is there any place in your life where are you conflicted because you follow Jesus?

Take some time to imagine this scene: Imagine the fear that Joseph and Nicodemus may have felt as they approached Pilate. Consider what they may have been thinking, as they took the body of Jesus to the tomb. Imagine what it felt like to also carry seventy-five pounds of myrrh and aloes. Imagine the time that it took to tenderly anoint the lifeless body of Christ for burial.

As you hear the passage read again… consider that Joseph and Nicodemus must have been convinced that what they were doing by preparing Jesus for burial was ‘the end of the story’. Are there places in your life today that feel like the story has ended? Places where there is not hope for anything other than burial?
 
Can you borrow hope from Joseph and Nicodemus, considering what you know about the rest of their story? Our hope does not primarily come from what God might do for us in this moment, but in the fact that God is always present to us come what may, and that he holds and writes the end of the story. Even as we pray for particular answers or outcomes, our peace right now is found simply from God’s presence with us. Take time throughout your day today to be still, and to become aware of the nearness of God to you.
 
Lord God, Almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought me in safety to this new day: Preserve me with your mighty power, that I may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all I do, direct me to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.  

Music - Slow Kingdom Coming - Vineyard Worship - (YouTube)