Luke 23:48-55
A crowd had gathered to see the
terrible sight. Then after they had seen it, they felt brokenhearted and
went home. All of Jesus' close friends and the women who had come with
him from Galilee stood at a distance and watched.
There was a man
named Joseph, who was from Arimathea in Judea. Joseph was a good and
honest man, and he was eager for God’s kingdom to come. He was also a
member of the council, but he did not agree with what they had decided.
Joseph
went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. He took the body down from
the cross and wrapped it in fine cloth. Then he put it in a tomb that
had been cut out of solid rock and had never been used. It was Friday,
and the Sabbath was about to begin.
The women who had come with
Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and watched how Jesus' body was
placed in the tomb. Then they went to prepare some sweet-smelling spices
for his burial. But on the Sabbath they rested, as the Law of Moses
commands.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
After
we buried our beloved cat Lucy four weeks ago, we ambled around
the house rather aimlessly. We had done all we could do…there was
nothing left except to sit and allow the profundity of what had just
happened to soak in. Those were sad, heartbreaking hours. Each day has
gotten a little easier, although we still look for our precious Tuxedo
cat. I think I hear her sometimes…or that I spot her out of the corner
of my eye – lying in her favorite chair in my office.
When my
grandmother died two years ago, there was a sense of joy and relief that
her struggle had ended…that her longing to be with Jesus in heaven had
become her reality. But the very next morning, we sprung into
action…arranging her funeral, writing her obituary, answering phone
calls and questions, sorting through pictures for her memorial video.
There was so much to do initially that the time to sit and “soak it all
in” didn’t come right away. In fact, it was about two weeks before it
truly hit me that my grandmother was really gone - and I was able to
reflect on all that had happened.
Unless you are a pet owner, you
may think it in bad taste that I have shared references to the death of
my fur baby and my grandmother in the same devotional. Please stick
with me!
I tell you all of this to explain how empty, exhausted,
and numb the entourage at the cross must have felt after Jesus’ death.
Momentarily, they must have sat in silence…somewhat dumbfounded and
bewildered. “What do we do now?” they must have wondered. “Where do we
go? How will we ever be happy again?” These are normal questions
after the loss of any loved one. And the “busyness” that follow –
preparation for burial and the actual interment – are
cathartic…healing…a way to do something, which is a real human need.
But
I must also tell you that the numbness fades…rest comes...the heart
swells with memories and good thoughts…and joy returns. Jesus rose from
the grave. He lives! The tomb could not hold Him! And because of
this, we can move forward in confidence and peace. Because Jesus lives,
I know that my grandmother (and yes, my cat Lucy) are safe with Him in
heaven. We have to go through this “numb” day/time to get to the
“Resurrection Day”…but it is coming!
So wherever you are
today…whatever has caused your “numbness” or grieved you…whatever trials
you are enduring…whatever heartaches you are experiencing…know that a
better day is coming, because Jesus will make it so. Sit and weep if
you must…take in what is happening and process it. But call on Jesus to
get you past this day and into the light of resurrection in Him!
Believe in the promises of Jesus Christ, and know that joy truly does
come in the morning for all who trust in Him.
Because of Jesus,
we are a lot stronger than we think! Sit and talk with Him today…share
EVERYTHING…and remember to thank Him for His amazing sacrifices on our
behalf. I often tell people who are grieving…”You just have to get
through today.” Easter is coming…let Jesus help you get through
today - and handle all of your tomorrows.
©2015 Debbie Robus
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