"So Joseph took
the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he
had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went
away."
Joseph’s mercy for the body of Jesus, dead on the cross, is
bittersweet.
Joseph did not allow for any degradation of the body. Rather, he
carefully took the body down from the cross. In preparation for burial, he washed the body
of Jesus. He then anointed and perfumed the body, and then clothed it in clean linen. Next
Joseph reverently laid the body in his own tomb, which was new and clean and hewn out of
rock. Not every corpse was given such tender, caring treatment. Not every body was wrapped
in clean linen and laid in a new tomb.
We imagine Joseph carrying out these merciful acts alone; the others
had fled.
In his act of retrieving and burying Jesus’ body, we see how well
Joseph of Arimathea learned the lessons of discipleship. Jesus told those gathered around
him, "I desire mercy, not sacrifice."
Jesus spent his life showing mercy by forgiving sinners and healing the
sick. In the hours following his death, after days of trials, beatings, and torture,
Jesus’ fragile, lifeless body was shown tender mercy by his disciple Joseph.
When he was finished, Joseph carefully rolled a great stone to the door
and carefully sealed the tomb. Only then, when all was done, did he solemnly walk away.
Prayer: Dear heavenly Father. As we mourn the injustice of
Christ’s crucifixion, let us remember the sweet mercy of his disciple Joseph of
Arimathea. Like Joseph, help us to prepare the way for your son, Jesus Christ. In
Jesus’ name. Amen.
