 |
| Image by KorePhoto |
†
Station #18: Jesus is laid to rest
The Stations of the Cross #13 and 14: Jesus is taken down from the cross,
and Jesus is placed in the tomb.
†
A GREETING
I wait for your salvation, O God.
(Genesis 49:18)
A READING
After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the people, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body. Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds. They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the people. Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid. And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
(John 19:38-42)
MUSIC
A MEDITATIVE VERSE
The women who had come with him from Galilee followed,
and they saw the tomb and how his body was laid.
(Luke 23:55)
A POEM
Against the dark heavens
someone kneels, slowly allowing
the sheet to drop down.
Everything is in darkness. The trees too.
Only the body shines.
No, not exactly. Again. From the beginning.
Soft white flesh, so it seems,
living, breathing, moving its arms,
even loving. Outside the frame,
one guesses they will put him to rest in the ground...
The figures,
the bloodied, silent wood, heaven
all color – colors are colors –
but from where and where to? Darkness.
- from "Descent from the Cross" by Tuvia Ruebner & Keshev
translated by Lisa Katz and Shahar Bram
VERSE OF THE DAY
On their hands they will bear you up.
(Psalm 91:12a)
†
 |
| The Descent from the Cross (1617-18) by Peter Paul Rubens Meditation suggestion: you may wish to try clicking on the painting to enlarge it and studying the painting with the music. |
The community of Jesus who had been with him from the beginning, including all of the apostles, are now dispersed and scared, hunted, hiding, and fled. They nonetheless leave behind a small group who keep vigil at the Cross until the time has come to take Jesus down. An unusual collection of Jesus followers thus forms in care. Women, a temple leader, and a merchant.
Joseph of Arimathea, who is described as a rich man and a religious lay leader, has had the courage to stand before Pilate with his desire to reclaim Jesus’ body, accompanied by Nicodemus, a member of the temple Sanhedrin, who once came to Jesus and asked him questions by night. Two upstanding Jewish men, accompanied by Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses, the beloved disciple, and perhaps Mary and Martha of Bethany, help to unhang Jesus from the Cross and bring him into a peaceful place of rest.
When in our own lives have we been drawn into unexpected common purpose with strangers around a crisis? Perhaps it was when we stopped at an accident scene to help, or became stuck in an elevator, or trapped by a natural disaster in the same place. A bond forms out of survival and necessity. We reach into the deepest part of ourselves and find our common humanity. Like those caring for Jesus, we have no idea what the ending will be; we can’t see into the future. But by putting one loving, compassionate, empathic, bridge—building, reconciliation-seeking, heart-driven step in front of the other, we regain the world.
In the painting above by Peter Paul Rubens, the cross of cruel death is being replaced by a cross of love. When Jesus is laid out on the ground, those gathered will wrap him in a shroud with the rich spices that Nicodemus has brought. The men and women in the painting who are taking Jesus down from the cross have become a part of his body. In putting him to rest, the loved ones of Jesus have returned him to the garden of his origin. Even before he is resurrected, they have begun to form the community of Christ. Their care is the foundation of new beginnings.
Yesterday we imagined how our actions of harm to each other are the wood and nails of Good Friday. How can we now think of our own care for the world and for others as anointing and wrapping the body of Christ? What can we do in our own lives to help heal the wounds we have made with anointing hands of love?
 |
| Image by Ian Scott |
†
LC† Before the Cross is a project of Lutherans Connect, supported by the Eastern Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and the Centre for Spirituality and Media at Martin Luther University College. To receive the devotions by email, write to lutheransconnect@gmail.com. The devotional pages are written and curated by Deacon Sherry Coman, with support and input from Pastor Steve Hoffard, Catherine Evenden and Henriette Thompson. Join us on Facebook, and on Twitter. Lutherans Connect invites you to make a donation to the Ministry by going to this link on the website of the ELCIC Eastern Synod and selecting "Lutherans Connect Devotionals" under "Fund". Devotions are always freely offered, however your donations help to support extended offerings throughout the year. Thank you and peace be with you!
