16th. April. 2022. Daily Devotion.

57 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. Matthew 27:57-61

Jesus is dead. Jesus was betrayed, denied, condemned, mocked, and executed. If it had not been for the timely intervention and generosity of Joseph of Arimathea, his body would have been left hanging on the cross. But Joseph and the two faithful women wanted to lay Jesus’ broken body to rest in a decent and reverent way. As far as Pilate was concerned the job was done; he could find no reason to prevent the body being taken down and buried. But this was not a time for celebration … this was a time of loss and sorrow. This was not the moment to eat the equivalent of sandwiches and cake, but the time to weep with those terrible words, It is finished, still ringing out loud and clear.

In our reading there is a glimmer of hope, though. We are privileged to be able to look back two thousand years and recall that the desolation of this day will be short-lived. This was not the case for Jesus’ faithful followers. But … the religious leaders who had been instrumental in orchestrating Jesus’ execution did recall talk of resurrection, and they were fearful. They warned of impostors and subterfuge, but we must wonder whether, in the backs of their minds, they realized what might be about to happen. After all, they are the ones who had studied the ancient prophecies for many years.

The death of someone dear to us is always a moment of tragedy, but this death was different. On this Holy Saturday the tragedy will soon come to an end and the truth of Jesus’ resurrection will dawn on the world. Soon will come the night of new beginnings, the night when death and sin will be conquered by the rising again of Jesus, the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Saviour of the world, the risen and conquering Son of God. Let us give thanks for that moment today and every day.

We commend to you, O Lord, our souls and our bodies; our prayers and our hopes; our health and our work; our life and our death; our families and our friends; our neighbours and our fellow men and women, this day and always. Amen. Lancelot Andrewes (1555-1626)

Prayer for Holy Saturday

Father of mercies and God of love, in his last word from the cross your Son our Saviour committed his spirit into your hands. We today would do the same.
In your hands alone we are secure: there is no other place where we would be. And so, our Father, receive us now, as into your hands we commit ourselves, our souls, and bodies, in life and in death, for time and for eternity. Amen.

With sorrow and hope we offer our worship today. Grant to all the faithful the grace to wait upon your will in peace and stillness.

Bring to busy, restless humanity the blessing of calm. May the message of hope be preached even in the darkest places of the world.

Bless our families with the peace of Christ. Heal disputes and divisions in our community with the remembrance that Christ suffered for us all, even to death.

Give rest to the tired minds and bodies of those for whom Christ suffered in the flesh.

Have mercy on all who mourn and give them confidence in a new and greater life. Be close to those who sleep now in death. Come to the dying and bring them with Jesus through the tomb into eternal life.

Through the peace of trust and repose in Jesus Christ, we offer these our prayers. Amen.