Come, See Where His body Was Lying...

Greetings, dear friends!

Have you ever borrowed something from someone? I have. Purses, jewelry, books, an egg, lawnmower, a phone…the list is endless.  I always make sure to take care of it and give it back in the same condition I received it.  The egg, in case you were wondering, was uncracked and new.  Except there was this one time that someone let me borrow a Greek doll and some calendars for a presentation Hormone was doing for International Day at school; I forgot to give it all back. I discovered all the stuff during the epic purging of 2014 after the garage fire. Shame on me; the presentation was in 1999!

Jesus borrowed something once too, but He promptly returned it.   

Matthew 27:57-60 “As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him.  Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth.  He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.”

Matthew 28:1-6 “Early on Sunday morning, the women went out to visit the tomb.  Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and spoke to the women… “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. Come, see where His body was lying.”

Jesus borrowed the tomb for three days – leaving it for Joseph’s future use – and rose to give us everything we could ever hope for. Because He lives, we live. Because He resurrected, the dead areas of our life, soul, body, mind, emotions, relationships… can also be infused with new life. Because He conquered the grave, we have conquered the grave and will enjoy the indescribable joys of heaven.

It was an incredibly kind, tender, and generous gesture that Joseph made when he cared for our Lord’s body and laid it to rest in that tomb.  But it was an even greater gesture that Jesus returned it to Joseph!

PRAYER: Dear Lord, Thank You that Christ only borrowed the tomb.  He rose up out of there with unparalleled power that He freely and graciously gives to us all.  We call upon Him now to breathe new life anywhere we need it. (FILL IN THE BLANK) Especially here: ___________________________. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!