An incredible personal gift

He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to Joseph. So Joseph took it, wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away. (verses 58-60)

Read Matthew 27:55–66

Joseph must have had an incredible love for Jesus to have given him such a gift: a tomb newly carved out of rock. What a wonderful gift for someone who had once said he didn’t have a place to lay his head. How appropriate that at the lowest point of Jesus’ humiliation he was given a worthy gift that will be remembered forever whenever people tell the Easter story.

Joseph must have been a man of great courage. At a time when the leaders had jeered and scoffed at Jesus and the crowds had asked for his crucifixion, Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked that he be allowed to give Jesus a decent burial. But he did more than that. In this emergency he gave him the tomb that he had prepared for his own personal use, together with a new linen sheet, so that the crucified body of Jesus would be given the dignity it deserved.

Jesus is worthy of our best gifts. He who was prepared to suffer and die in great indignity for us deserves the best of all gifts, our genuine love and personal sacrifice and denial. Our gift to Jesus can be made to the least of his brothers and sisters—people in need who cross our path and need our help.

Because of your great love for me, Jesus, help me to be kind and generous to others, especially those who really need help. Amen.

by Kevin Schmidt, in ‘Refreshment for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2003)

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