And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid

 

 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.  

 

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

- Mark 15:40–47 

 

On Saturday, we read that, at the Crucifixion, when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"  

 

  There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.   My study Bible comments on the faithfulness of these women.  It says that this shows that in Christ, divine order is being restored to the fallen world.  Whereas Eve was created to complete Adam (Genesis 2:18), but instead led him to sin (Genesis 3:6), now these women disciples remain faithful while the men flee and hide.  It's the women who bring the message of Resurrection to the men (Mark 16:9-11; Luke 24:9-11), therefore restoring that which had been broken through sin.  

 

 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.   My study Bible notes that if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph of Arimathea being both a prominent council member refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  

 

In today's reading, we are given examples of great importance regarding those who persist in quiet obedience and dedicated discipleship.  The women whose faith in Christ keeps them active for Christ even just upon His death, even when the Twelve are in hiding, show us what it is to be truly devoted.  They are not the ones chosen for an outward ministry to be sent out to all the world. Yet, their discipleship has been absolutely necessary both to the story of Jesus -- such as in today's reading -- and also for their support of Christ's ministry since Galilee, from whence they have followed Him to Jerusalem.  Joseph of Arimathea has not been known as an outspoken follower of Christ, but as we're told in the Gospel, he takes courage -- and great courage -- and openly goes to Pilate and asks for Christ's body, so it can be put into a tomb hewn out of the rock.  Think of the care we're told about here:   he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  He also  rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  Without this tomb, without this burial, and without that stone, would we even have the story we have about what is to follow?  These women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem, and Joseph of Arimathea, are all doing what they must in such a situation.  They do what is appropriate and right.  They are not considering a revolution, they aren't running out and demanding to be placed in roles of great importance in terms of hierarchy, but they are quietly doing what must be done.  And we must recognize such a place for our own devotion as disciples, and how we are called upon to act under various circumstances.  Sometimes this is all that we can do, and it is the only appropriate thing to do.  But these are acts nevertheless of great courage and tremendous love and devotion, and we must recognize them as such.  It is a glorious thing that these people are memorialized in the Gospel, for so often this kind of humble service is not recognized as extraordinary, but indeed it is necessary and extraordinary.  For discipleship takes on its color and tone through love, not through grandiose behavior or great speeches or even starring roles.  But these are those who act, nonetheless, while others are in fear and hiding, or paralyzed in terror and shock at what has happened to Christ, and that He has died on the Cross.  If not for their devotion, where would we be?  So let us put a high priority on our own capacity to follow in quiet service and duty, doing what must be done, in times of great stress or sorrow or shocking events that may shake us to the bone.  For it is in doing our quiet duty, the things we know are right and must be done, that we place one foot in front of the other in obedience to God, and begin to pick up the pieces of our lives at such times, and find our way to the goodness of God.  Most especially in times of great tragedy, let us follow in their footsteps and look to their example.  We listen to today's text for these small yet greatly powerful acts of compassion and love.   Let us not discount the quiet roles of service, and their absolute essential necessity to the plans of our God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Father, "into Your hand I commit My spirit"

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.  

 

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done,  beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

 

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  

 

- Luke 23:44–56

 

On Saturday, we read that there were also two others, criminals, who were led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."   But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

  Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. The sixth hour is noon, and the ninth hour corresponds to approximately 3:00 in the afternoon.  We see that the very rhythm of creation is disturbed in this murder of its Creator.  Regarding the veil of the temple, my study Bible comments that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and human beings.  Christ's death, it says, opens the way into the presence of God for all people, giving people access to that which is most holy of all:  God Himself.  In many Orthodox churches, there is a curtain between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services in order to emphasize that communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith. 

 

 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible comments that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  His was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades.  Instead, Jesus gives His soul freely to the hands of God.  So, therefore, He frees all of humanity from the grip of death.  Jesus' death is a reconciliation of humankind to God, not through satisfaction of a need for blood-justice as some might teach, but by causing all aspects of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever divinity touches is healed.  My study Bible says that Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature.  Christ accepts our weakness in order to make us strong; He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin; He suffers in order to transfigure suffering; and He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus is quoting from Psalm 31:5; He is likely praying as the entire psalm is the story of the Crucifixion.  

 

 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done,  beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible cites St. Cyril of Alexandria, who reflects on the conversion of the centurion as follows:  "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."

 

 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  If the apostles had buried Christ, my study Bible states, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph of Arimathea, being both a council member and also a good and just man refutes any possibility of deception by the apostles.  Moreover, the spiritual significance of this tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person had ever died.  That is, a death without corruption, a death which leads to victory over the grave itself.  

 

 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  Christ's rest in the tomb, my study Bible notes, fulfills the image of His birth in a cave (Luke 2:7) and reveals the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming into the world.  The faith of the women, my study Bible adds, while stronger than that of the disciples who are now in hiding, was still imperfect in that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  Moreover, as God rested from His work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  So, therefore, Christ gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning, and He fulfills the Law even in death.  At Matins of Holy Saturday, the Orthodox hymn declares, "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

 

 We should note something a little subtle about the passages in today's reading.  Even though the unthinkable has happened, even though the world and all aspects of creation seem out of whack, upside down, there is a particular rhythm or cycle to what is happening.  It is more or less "upside down" that there was darkness all over the earth from noon until 3:00 P.M.  We're even told that then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple -- established to protect the people from the powerful holiness of God -- was torn in two.  Perhaps these words describe an eclipse, but ancient people knew what eclipses were, and there is clear evidence that astronomical knowledge was developed enough to know their cause.  Nonetheless, these events tell us about the creation that responds to what has just happened, and perhaps even more importantly, what is taking place.  For the powers of heaven are shaken.  Christ the Lord has died His human death and will ascend now to assume all power in heaven and on earth.  In the psalms we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their sound has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world (Psalm 19:1-4).  When Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and His disciples shouted out in His Triumphal Entry, Jesus said to the offended religious leaders, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40).   In the perspective of Scripture, all of creation forms a kind of icon of the Creator and the reality of the divine life, its purposes, its meanings.  Creation, in this sense, is alive with meanings and messages if we but could understand and hear.  So, as Jesus prophesied of the end times, there are signs in the sun on this occasion; moreover the very veil of the temple has been torn in two, symbolizing the opening of heaven to human beings through Christ's death on the Cross.  And then the rhythm of Creation is taking place.  Jesus dies on the day of Preparation, which we know as Good Friday.  And then the Sabbath comes, and He rests, even as His faithful followers, the women from Galilee, also oversee His resting place, the tomb, and then withdraw so they themselves abide by the Sabbath rule.  What we find, remarkably it seems, is the pattern and path of duty midst all of this upheaval.  Even the pattern of the Preparation and the Sabbath are asserted through the faith of Christ's followers.  Joseph of Arimathea, taking tremendous courage, goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Jesus.  Through his faith and generosity he wrapped Christ's body in linen, and donated an unused new tomb, hewn out of the rock, an expensive gift and honor indeed, unheard of for One who is crucified on a cross in the Roman system of punishments, and for One so ignominiously treated by His own nation and its religious leaders.  As my study Bible noted, Christ goes even as He was born as an infant, in a cave, and wrapped in swaddling.  And although the apostles are in hiding, the women observe the tomb, and prepare what is necessary for His burial:  the spices and fragrant oils.  Then as faithful duty in the rhythm of creation, and their humility before God, they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  These powerful events teach us so much about faith, humility, and duty in the face of the unthinkable and shocking in our lives.  We still have a duty, a job to do.  We still honor God, and do what we know according to the commandments we know.  For Christ teaches us what we are to be about, and how we serve Him under all circumstances.  Let us remember our road, our truth, our life.  Jesus says, as His last words, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit,'" quoting from Psalm 31.  Ultimately we follow His lead, and commit all things to God's hand, for that is where we belong, too, regardless of what happens in the world around us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard

 

 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons. 

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'  Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.'  So the last deception will be worse than the first."  Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

 

- Matthew 27:55-66 

 

Yesterday we read that from the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!"  Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.  The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!"

 

  And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.  My study Bible says that most patristic commentary teaches that Mary the mother of James and Joses is the Virgin Mary, as she was in fact the stepmother of James and Joses (see Matthew 13:55; compare Mark 15:40, 47).  It notes that Theophylact summarizes in this way:  "James and Joses were sons of Joseph by his first wife.  And since the Theotokos was called the 'wife' of Joseph, she is rightly called the 'mother' of his children, meaning 'stepmother'."

 

 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  Joseph of Arimathea commits a bold public act; to ask for the body of Jesus is a sign of deep faith for a wealthy man.  My study Bible says it shows that his faith has overcome any fear.

When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.  My study Bible notes that Christ is buried in a new tomb so that no suspicion might later arise that another had risen instead of Christ.  

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'  Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.'  So the last deception will be worse than the first."  Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.  While the chief priests and Pharisees act to prevent what they suspect on the part of Christ's disciples, this action effectively secures the understanding that the witness reports of what is to come are authentic and true.

 

The chief priests and Pharisees suspect that Christ's disciples might steal His body from this new tomb (that is, one in which no one else has been buried), so they may falsely claim His Resurrection later.   But let us take note how God uses circumstances to achieve God's purposes.  Effectively their actions demanded in false suspicion only help to seal the veracity of the witnesses to come.  First, it is a new tomb and therefore only one body is placed there, that of Christ.  Second, it's quite interesting that the chief priests and Pharisees are apparently aware of Christ's prophecy that He would rise again, that they have understood what Christ meant by the sign of the prophet Jonah (Matthew 12:38-39; 16:1-4).  This is quite a contrast to the deliberate machinations around Christ's prophecy of the same when He spoke of His body as a temple (Matthew 26:61; John 2:19).   It exposes their disingenuous behavior, that they knowingly have done what they've done.  The other thing to note about today's text is the importance of the women, right from the beginning, in Christ's followers.  Without their witness, we would not have the understanding that we do.  They are the ones out and about, doing the necessary things for Christ's burial, keeping watch and keeping witness.  Joseph of Arimathea -- who is honored today in the Episcopal Church -- is also a member of the Council (see Mark 15:43), and therefore extremely courageous.  What we find in this account is telling us that, immediately upon Christ's death, not only do all kinds of signs and wonders occur in Jerusalem (see yesterday's reading, above), but also the courage of even what we might call Christ's "least likely" followers comes to the fore for all to see.  While the disciples are scattered (Matthew 26:56) and in hiding, these come out and do what is necessary for Him, even acting with a kind of courage that could lose them their lives and status in the society.  What we find is that, even before the knowledge of the Resurrection, Christ's death is already producing fruit, from the centurion and his guards who proclaimed "Truly this is the Son of God!" to these women and the prominent and wealthy member of the Council Joseph of Arimathea.  Without the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, without the order to seal the stone and set the guard, without these women, we wouldn't have the story we know.  It all affirms that "all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).  Let us keep this in mind through our own struggles, setbacks, and hardships -- for Christ's sacrifice and the power of Resurrection still brings forth fruit, even where we may least expect it.

 

 

 

 

Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus

 

 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.  

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

- Mark 15:40–47 

 

On Saturday we read that when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

 

  There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.  My study Bible comments here that the faithfulness of the women shows that in Christ, divine order is being restored to the fallen world.  As Eve was created to complete Adam (Genesis 2:18) but instead led him to sin (Genesis 3:6), now these women disciples are the ones who remain faithful while the men have fled and are in hiding.  It is the women who bring the message of the Resurrection to the men (Mark 16:9-11; Luke 24:9-11), thereby restoring that which had been broken through sin.

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.  My study Bible teaches that if the apostles had buried Christ, then doubters could have claimed His body was simply hidden away.  As Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent council member, and also a good and just man (Luke 23:50) who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  The spiritual significance of this tomb, which Luke tells us was one in which no one had ever lain before, is that Christ died a death unlike any person who had ever died, a death without corruption and which led to victory over the grave itself. 

 

 What is the important factor in common with each of these people who act significantly just after Christ has died?  It is, plainly and simply, courage.  The women take courage in remaining faithful to Christ, and Joseph of Arimathea takes great courage to go to Pilate and to ask for the body of Jesus, and laying Him in this expensive tomb hewn out of the rock.  Besides courage, we note faithfulness.  The women remain looking from afar, as they have followed Him since His time in Galilee, even ministering to Christ the One who ministers to all, and they have followed Him faithfully to Jerusalem and remain with Him even through His Crucifixion, and to His tomb which they observe.  Joseph of Arimathea, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, also acts faithfully by taking courage and going to Pilate and claiming Christ's body, preparing it for burial, and placing it in this new tomb.  All of these women and this man take courage and act faithfully.  They don't do so with great fanfare nor to call attention to themselves, but they are courageous, faithful, and also dutiful.  They see to it that what is known and understood as duties which are honorable and faithful are carried out, fulfilled, even when others do not.  As my study Bible points out, the other men -- the disciples -- even the great Peter, John, and James, are scattered and in hiding as their Teacher is crucified and killed.  But if we should remember these three elements about these people who retain their sense of themselves and their faith, we also shall stand in good stead in times of great terror and stress.  They take courage, they are faithful, and they are dutiful.  They remember and know who they are and what they must be about.  Joseph is a faithful member of the Council who also awaits the kingdom of God, and these women were ministers to Christ all the time He was in Galilee, have followed Him to Jerusalem, and remain now ministering to Him even in His death, as they will help to complete the burial rites for Christ.  These individuals give us the examples we need in a time of crisis, when it looks like our world is falling apart, and we must remember what they show us:  courage, faithfulness, duty.  They are the ones who follow what Christ taught the disciples when He warned of the tribulations of the end time, and what is truly necessary for us to remain His disciples, even in these times as we await His return.  We are to be watchful always, and prayerful -- and in this way we observe as did the women and Joseph of Arimathea, we are alert to opportunities to live our faith, and to act as good and proper duties call us to act, as at the best of circumstances and the best we can under the worst.  Let us remember what it is we are to be about, even if at times others seem to scatter and succumb to fear.

 

 

But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 

 

- Luke 23:44-56 

 

On Saturday we read that there were also two others, criminals, led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  In Friday's reading and commentary, we remarked upon what seems like an "upside down" time, a time when evil seems to make a great show.  That there is darkness during the brightest time of the day (the sixth hour corresponds to noon, the ninth hour to 3 p.m.) is another kind of "upside down" sign.  In another sense, we could say that all of these events indicate the disturbance of creation, for the Logos experiences earthly death.  It is almost as if creation itself is mourning in its upside down time, when creatures seek to destroy the Creator.

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.   My study Bible comments that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and human beings.  Christ's death opens the way into the presence of God for all, giving people access to that which is the most holy of all:  God.  In many Orthodox churches, one may see a curtain between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services.  This emphasizes that this communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith. 

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible notes that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  His was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades, my study Bible further explains.  Instead it was freely given into the hands of God.  So, therefore, Christ frees all of humanity from the grip of death.  His death reconciles humankind to God, not by satisfying the Father's need for blood-justice as some might teach, but in causing every aspect of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever divinity touches is healed.  Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature.  He accepts our weakness in order to make us strong.  He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin.  He suffers in order to transfigure suffering.  And finally, He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus' words are from Psalm 31:5, teaching us that He was praying on the Cross.

Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible quotes St. Cyril of Alexandria, who reflects on the conversion of the centurion  St. Cyril writes, "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."  Let us also note that the Gospel gives us these various strata of people in response to Christ.  There is the whole crowd who came together, and seeing what had been done causes them to beat their breasts in anguish and return.  But the acquaintances of Christ are different, and these include the women who followed Him from Galilee.  They stood at a distance, almost seemingly passive, watching these things.  But they are the ones who were already warned by Christ what was to come to Him in Jerusalem.  They are the ones, one feels, who love Him.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  My study Bible comments that, if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph, as both a council member and a good and just man refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  The spiritual significance of a tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person had ever died.  That is, a death without corruption, and a death leading to victory over the grave itself.  Let us also note that here we are given yet another layer of the people of Jerusalem and who surround the story of Christ.  Joseph of Arimathea as both a rich man (indicated by this grave hewn out of rock where no one had ever lain before) and a council member reminds us that the Gospels do not present human beings as monoliths.  Joseph had not consented to the decision and deed of the rest of the council, although he was a prominent member (Mark 15:43).  In this viewpoint of the Gospels, nothing in our nominal worldly identity prevents us -- or anyone else -- from being a good and just person and one who loves Christ and awaits the kingdom of God -- and even boldly acts that love as does Joseph of Arimathea.

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  Christ's rest in the tomb fulfills the image of His birth in a cave. (See Luke 2:7, where this manger would have been by custom in a cave for the animals).  This understanding reveals the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming.  The faith of the women, while stronger than that of the hiding disciples, was still imperfect in that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  My study Bible adds, regarding the Sabbath:  As God rested from the work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  Therefore, Jesus gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning and fulfills the Law even in death.  My study Bible quotes a hymn from Matins of Holy Saturday:  "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

 

There is a kind of stoicism one might read in the followers of Christ.  Perhaps we should not understand stoicism as a word referring to a specific philosophy, but a more generalized term to indicate a particular attitude or disposition.  Christ's followers accept.  They are not the ones who are beating their breasts and making an outcry of grief.  They watch even from a distance all the things that happen.  Perhaps they are following Christ's words of warning about what is to come in the future disasters in Jerusalem, or perhaps they are merely responding to Christ's repeated warnings that this was to come for Him.  After all, He has shown them the way, as He could under the particular circumstances of the events in the days just before His Passion.  He would not let them fight for His life; He even healed the ear of the servant of the high priest (see Luke 22:49-53).  See also John 18:36, in which Jesus testifies to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."  No, His servants do not make a revolution nor even a stir, but watch from afar.  There is then Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man about whom we've not heard anything in this Gospel before now.  But Joseph is a good and just man, who does not consent to the decision of the Council, and he acts quite courageously in giving this new and unused rock tomb -- a quite expensive gift -- for Christ's burial.   Finally, there are the women, who pay attention to what it is their business to do.  These are the women of such faith that they have followed Him from Galilee.  Earlier we were told they were supporting His ministry from their own means (Luke 8:1-3).  They also do not spend time wailing and mourning, but like Joseph, they do what is necessary.  They get to work.  They go to this tomb and observe how it is laid out.  Then they return to prepare spices and fragrant oils, so that they may do the proper burial.  But they must, dutiful as they are, rest on the Sabbath.  All of these people who are the ones indicated in the text who love and follow Christ, they make of themselves a pattern that we can recognize.  They accept what has happened and do what is necessary.  But what seems to characterize their behavior is that they examples of truly "good and faithful servants" (see Matthew 25:23).  They remind us of what we are to be doing, of the proper attitude we must take, as we await the Master's return.  These are the ones who do not waste time with passions that can so often take us off track.  They are the faithful and wise servants, alert to what is necessary, doing the things that need to be done.  They are also the ones who are watchful, who do not waste time in unprofitable pursuits, forgetful of what they are to be about (Luke 21:34-36).  They have not lost themselves to the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and to desires for other things (Mark 4:18-19).   It is these few, perhaps, who are keeping everything together for the making of the future Church, providing what is necessary, and doing what they must, and they are all examples of what our lives are supposed to be.  For even in this worst of all circumstances, at a time when the unthinkable has happened, when even the sun is blacked out from its glory in seeming grief of the created universe, these stand back and do what they are able and what they must, and they do not wait for others to tell them what to do.  They know what to do and do what they can.  For these women, especially, who have followed Him from Galilee, this faithful and true behavior will serve to bring the greatest news of the world, for which they will be the first bearers into the world.  

Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward

 

 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"  Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."  Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?  I will lay down my life for Your sake.  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times."

 

- John 13:36-38 

 

In our previous reading (John 12:27-36), Jesus was preparing for His journey to the Cross, His hour of glorification.  He said, "Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say?  'Father, save Me from this hour'?  But for this purpose I came to this hour.  Father, glorify Your name."  Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again."  Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered.  Others said, "An angel has spoken to Him."  Jesus answered and said, "This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake.  Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.  And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself."  This He said, signifying by what death He would die.  The people answered Him, "We have heard from the law that the Christ remains forever; and how can You say, 'The Son of Man must be lifted up'?  Who is this Son of Man?"  Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you.  Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.  While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light."  These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.  

 Simon Peter said to Him, "Lord, where are You going?"  Jesus answered him, "Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward."  Peter said to Him, "Lord, why can I not follow You now?  I will lay down my life for Your sake.  Jesus answered him, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?  Most assuredly, I say to you, the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times."  In today's reading, the lectionary skips ahead, to the end of chapter 13.  Jesus and the disciples are at the Last Supper, and this conversation takes place just prior to His last address to His disciples.  My study Bible comments on this passage that Jesus' first words to Simon Peter ("Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward") are in fact a prophecy of his martyrdom.  St. Peter would suffer martyrdom for the sake of Christ by being crucified upside down in Rome in about AD 67 (see John 21:18-19).  

In today's short reading, at first glance we might think that the focus is on Peter's denial.  But my study Bible places the emphasis on Christ's prophecy of Peter's martyrdom which is to come, Peter's own great sacrifice for the sake of the gospel (Matthew 10:39, 16:25; Mark 8:35; Luke 17:33; John 12:25).  If we take a look at some of the other passages which accompany this one in today's lectionary reading, we see a common theme of sacrifice.  The Old Testament reading is from Genesis 22:1-14, the story of Abraham's being called to sacrifice his son Isaac.  This story seems to many people to be cruel; they wonder why God would call Abraham to do such a thing, even if God did not intend for this to happen.  After all, Israel lived side-by-side with hostile neighboring peoples whose gods demanded such things.  But if we look closely at the story, it is not a story of a god demanding cruelties in order to be pleased, but a story even about God's provision, of unexpected abundance.  It is a story of trust in God, and yes, sacrifice in the sense that Abraham reserves nothing in his love for and obedience to God.  But in the end, seeing a ram caught in a thicket, Abraham names the place The-Lord-Will-Provide.  This is a story of absolute trust in God, even in the most difficult of circumstances, the sacrifice of what we love.  It's echoed in Christ's prophecy of Peter's own martyrdom, a trust that entrusts everything to God's providence, even one's own life.  The other Gospel reading from John gives us a different kind of a sacrifice.  John 19:38-42 tells us the story of two wealthy and powerful men of Jerusalem, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus.  Both of them were members of the ruling council.  Nicodemus we know was a Pharisee (John 3:1).  Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man (Matthew 27:57), and also a prominent ruler on the Council (Mark 15:43).  Joseph, in going to Pilate to ask for Christ's body, was making a very courageous and bold choice, and risking everything in his life to do so, for as a member of the Council which pressured Pilate to put Jesus to death, he is defying them and their conclusions about Jesus.  After all, Jesus as a crucified Man is in some sense declared among the worst of criminals according to the Roman laws of punishment.  In this sense, He "became sin" for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), taking on this mantle of public shame and condemnation that went with crucifixion.  Joseph moreover donates a new (and quite expensive) and unused tomb hewn in stone (suggesting it was his own tomb; see Matthew 27:60), while Nicodemus donates the expensive myrrh and aloes for burial, a public act of love for Christ.  Both of these men risk their lives, their substance, and their places in the society to do so.  My study Bible says that according to some early sources, Nicodemus was baptized by Peter and consequently was removed from the Sanhedrin and forced to flee Jerusalem. St. John Chrysostom has suggested that Joseph of Arimathea was among the Seventy noted in Luke's Gospel (Luke 10:1-17).  At any rate as believers in the early Church, there is no doubt of what persecution and loss they faced.  When we look at each of these sacrifices -- the apostleship and martyrdom of St. Peter, the near-sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, the public donations and declaration of devotion to Christ by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, what we see are various forms of "investment" that comes with entrusting one's life and devotion to God, and all the things that are a part of one's life and oneself.  None of these men knew necessarily what the future held, but their whole trust was in God, in Christ -- Abraham, the first to know the promise; Peter the wavering disciple who would become leader and martyr; and the prominent men of the Council, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea.  Each one made choices for a willing sacrifice, an exchange for something more powerful, more essential, a deeper entrusting to God and to God's provision, whether in their own lives or in the greater story of the salvation of the world (John 3:16).  Jesus, of course, goes to the Cross, showing us all what it means to sacrifice for love.  We are now concluding the period of Lent (next week for the Orthodox), a traditional time of the practice of sacrifice, of fasting.  Let us consider these passages and what it means to learn to make choices based on discernment, to sacrifice or give something up because we are essentially investing in something better, greater, that commands a deeper and greater love and loyalty.  This is the substance of what it means to choose, especially when we come to a crossroads.  A marriage is similar; there will be sacrifices we're called to make for the sake of a marriage, or of a child, or an elderly parent.   There will be times when an investment in where God leads us becomes the risk we take, the worthy sacrifice for something more beautiful, more good, more true than whatever other appetites or desires would call for.  This is why we learn discipleship, so that we may become the "sons of light" Jesus names in yesterday's reading, above.  Let us walk in His light, even when it is difficult and there are hard choices to make, for we know the road and the Kingdom it leads to. 

And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar

 

 And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'   Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.'  So the last deception will be worse than the first."  Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.

 

- Matthew 27:55-66 

 

Yesterday we read that, when Jesus was crucified, from the sixth hour until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land.  And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is, "My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood there, when they heard that, said, "This Man is calling for Elijah!"  Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with sour wine and put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink.  The rest said, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to save Him."  And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.  Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split, and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.  So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God!"   

 

  And many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to Him, were there looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.  The Gospel gives us a partial picture of what takes place at Christ's crucifixion, and the witnesses there who've ministered to Him since His ministry in Galilee.  My study Bible comments that Mary the mother of James and Joses is seen by most patristic writers as the Virgin Mary, as she was in fact the stepmother of James and Joses (see Matthew 13:55, compare Mark 15:40, 47).  Theophylact summarizes the teaching of the Church Fathers thus:  "James and Joses were sons of Joseph by his first wife.  And since the Theotokos was called the 'wife' of Joseph, she is rightly called the 'mother' of his children, meaning 'stepmother'."  It is notable, also, that it is the women who remain faithful witnesses here, while the male disciples fled and remain hidden.  It is considered a sign of the divine order restored to a fallen world, in which a woman companion led a man to sin (Genesis 2:18, 3:6). 

Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.  When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.  And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.  My study Bible comments that to ask for the body of Jesus is a bold public act for this wealthy man, showing that his faith has overcome any fear.  Joseph of Arimathea was a prominent member of the Council (see Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50-54), and together with Nicodemus, his action in the Gospels tells us that there were members of the ruling religious parties who did not side with the decisions of the authorities and were followers of Jesus.  My study Bible also comments that Christ is buried in a new tomb so that no suspicion might later arise that another had risen instead of Christ.  

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, "Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise.'   Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, 'He has risen from the dead.'  So the last deception will be worse than the first."  Pilate said to them, "You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how."  So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard.  The stage is set for what is to come.  There will be no doubt about what the women will witness.

The women wait and watch, looking on from afar, witnesses to all that has taken place.   They have been with Jesus since His ministry in Galilee, and have followed Him all the way to the Cross.  We get the image of a silent group, watching perhaps on a hill, waiting and staying with Him in their own way, faithful to the end.  It is these women who will be the ones to witness the almost unbelievable news that will follow at the tomb.  But for now, let us watch them, silent as they witness and observe.  What they have is their faith, and one imagines that this is what they hold fast to, what they cling to within themselves.  When there is nothing else to do or to say, this is what we can do:  we can witness and we can cling to our faith -- and that is still doing what we can do.  These women serve as an example today, because they teach us about what to do when it seems like there is nothing we can do.  It is Jesus who has repeatedly warned the disciples that the time is approaching when the best they can do is "watch and pray."  When we enter into times -- as most certainly is this time recorded for us in the Gospel -- in which all seems upside down, unstable, the unthinkable happens, times of great confusion, then it is time for us to consider what these women do.  They do not desert Christ, they do not desert their faith, but they do as they can do.  They watch and they pray and they witness.  They do not flee and do not panic.  They wait on the Lord and they wait in this time, as silent witnesses.  In contrast to the men, they keep their heads and their hearts in place, and do the one thing they can do.  They watch and wait, and witness.  There is a poem by Rudyard Kipling called "If--" (found at this link).  It used to be an oft-quoted poem, and is ostensibly about what it is to become a man.  It begins, "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs . . ."  It seems to me that it is these women who exemplify in the Gospels what it means to "be a man" as described in the poem by Kipling.  They set us an example.  By their forbearance and tenacity they will become the ones who first witness what the men cannot, the ones to whom Christ first appears.  And notably, as my study Bible reminded us, in the story of Jesus Christ they are the ones who turn the story of the Fall upon its head.  They are the steadfast ones who resist temptation and struggle through this terrible time of testing, and they are the ones upon whose shoulders the rest of us will stand when the story of Christ is repeated and Resurrection proclaimed.  There are times in our lives when there is nothing that we can do but wait and watch.   In a modern world, this type of thinking seems sadly out of step with the endless encouragements to "be the change you want to see" or to be on board with a new slogan making the rounds.  But the Gospels, in their wisdom, remind us that there are times when we can but watch and pray, and the best we can do is witness and continue practicing the things we know are good while we await a new juncture, a new sense of where we are and what we need to do.  Forbearance and patience become assets and virtues, filled with meaning, at the Cross.  For there we find ourselves, even when the world would proclaim that the only thing that matters is decisive action and effort.  The power to bear pain properly, to endure, is something understood perhaps only with experience.  Wisdom teaches us at times that patience takes effort, and so does quiet strength, even silent witness of the time.

 

 

 

 

 

There were also women looking on from afar

 

There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

 

- Mark 15:40–47 

 

On Saturday we read:  Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.  And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" which is translated, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"  Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, "Look, He is calling for Elijah!"  Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, "Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down."  And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.  Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, "Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

 

 There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.  My study Bible comments that the faithfulness of the women shows that in Christ, divine order is being restored to the fallen world.  In the context of spiritual history, Eve was created to complete Adam (Genesis 2:18), but instead led him to sin (Genesis 3:6).  But now the women disciples of Christ remain faithful while it is the men who flee and hide.  It is the women who bring the message of the Resurrection to the men (Mark 16:9-11, Luke 24:9-11), thereby restoring that which had been broken through sin.

 

 Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.  So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.  Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen.  And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.  And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.  My study Bible explains that if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  But Joseph of Arimathea, being both a prominent council member, and one who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.   A tomb hewn out of the rock would be one of great expense.  Luke's Gospel tells us that it was one where no one had ever lain before (see Luke 23:53), signifying that Christ died a dead unlike any person who had ever died.  That is, a death without corruption, and one leading to victory over the grave itself.  We note again the abiding faithfulness of the women, who keep Christ's word to take heed, watch, and pray.  Their dutiful and mindful behavior, even in a time of great panic and fear, is a model for all of us who await Christ's return.

Yes, the women in today's story model the behavior for us that Christ has espoused in His teachings on the end times (such as in this reading), times He prophesied would be terrifying, and signs of which without doubt have been present in the world throughout the Christian era.  Both Joseph and the women teach us what it means to "Take heed, watch, and pray" as Jesus has taught must be our disposition through this period of "end times" as we await the Second Coming.  Contrary to some popularized novels and theories, the "end times" constitute all of the history of the Church to the present time and are ongoing.   That is why His words apply always to us and throughout the centuries; it is not simply a period which occurs imminently before His Second Coming.  In His prophecy of end times, the time of Christ's return was deliberately left vague, meaning that it is not our job to make timetables, but our job to do and to be precisely as He took pains to repeatedly teach:  we are to keep His commandments while He's gone, we are to be alert and aware of who we are and what we are to be about, not sleeping on our watch.  Joseph and the women perfectly exemplify such dutiful, awake, and alert behavior.  Joseph takes great courage in going to Pilate and requesting the body of Christ.  He holds a prominent seat on the Council, whose leaders decided to put Christ to death and manipulated the crowds to demand His crucifixion before Pilate.  Matthew's Gospel tells us he was a rich man (Matthew 27:57), so we understand not only that he shares his wealth to honor Christ in burial (and perhaps this tomb was made for himself), but as both a wealthy man and a prominent council member, he had a lot to lose by claiming Christ's body publicly.  Early church historians mention Joseph playing a prominent role in the Church.   But the women, as my study Bible points out, give us models of discipleship that signify spiritual transformation and a setting aright of history in a very important sense.  Note that the very fact that they are women plays a role here in establishing Christianity and its meanings and teachings, contradicting the image of Eve from the Old Testament.  Among these women we also must include Mary, the mother of Jesus, who although stricken with grief is understood to have been among the women going to the tomb, as we will discuss in tomorrow's reading and commentary.  We recall that in addition to Jesus' teachings as to what kind of discipleship He desires as we await His return, in Gethsemane He also requested the disciples watch with Him, and pray (see this reading).   During Christ's agony, His closest disciples failed in this task, sleeping from sorrow, we're told (Luke 22:45).  But here it is the women who remain steadfast models of what it is to keep one's head, to do the duty needed in the circumstances, and to "watch and pray" -- even to "watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation," as Jesus told Peter at Gethsemane.  It is the women who exemplify alacrity and coolness in a time of panic and terror for all of the disciples of Christ, and we who follow in their footsteps as faithful must be very grateful to the Gospels for reporting this to us and giving us the tremendous role they play for all of us.  Let us consider what we are to be in times of great distress, and how we can be more like them as they turn an ancient story of sin on its head, giving us both their courage and their faithfulness.

 

 

Certainly this was a righteous Man!

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 

- Luke 23:44–56

 

On Saturday, we read that there were also two others, criminals, led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.   These are natural indicators of a strange, upside-down, evil time, in which incomprehensible violence is done to what is essentially good.  The sixth hour is noon, a time when the sun is highest and brightest in the sky, and casts no shadows but those immediately under objects, but there is darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour (3:00 PM), throughout what is normally the brightest period of the day.  My study Bible reminds us that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and man.  Christ's death opened the way, it says, into the presence of God for all people, and giving access to that which is most holy of all:  God.  In many Orthodox churches, there is a curtain drawn between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services, in order to emphasize that communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible comments that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but He will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  Christ's soul was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades, my study Bible explains.  Instead, it was freely given into the hands of God.  Therefore, Christ frees all of humanity from death's grip.  His death reconciles humankind to God, not by satisfying the Father's need for blood-justice as some might teach, but by causing every aspect of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever is touched by divinity is healed.  Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature; He accepts our weakness in order to make us strong; He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin; He suffers in order to transfigure suffering; and He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus voluntarily enters death as the divine Son of God, and thereby can destroy the last enemy, which is death itself.

 

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible cites the commentary of St. Cyril of Alexandria regarding the conversion of the centurion.  St. Cyril writes:  "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."  Let us all note the faithfulness of His acquaintances, and specifically of the women mentioned who followed Him from Galilee.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.   My study Bible remarks that if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  But Joseph, being both a council member, and a good and just man, refutes any possibility that Christ's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  It notes that the spiritual significance of a tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person who had ever died:  a death without corruption, and one leading to victory over the grave itself. 

 

That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  My study Bible says that Christ's rest in the tomb fulfills the image of His birth in a cave (Luke 2:7), and also reveals the ultimate purpose of His coming.  The faith of the women, while stronger than that of the hiding disciples, is still imperfect in the sense that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  Regarding the Sabbath:  My study Bible writes that, as God rested from the work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  Therefore Christ gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning, and fulfills the Law even in death.  An Orthodox hymn for Holy Saturday Matins declares, "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

Often we think of Christ on the Cross, alone, surrounded by enemies and those who hate Him, mock Him, even spit on Him (Matthew 26:67-38, 27:30).  But the text tells us that there are those who did not desert Him, there are those who mourn, even those who come to faith, such as the centurion who declares, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  The text tells us that the whole crowd came together and saw what had been done, and beat their breasts in a sign of grief, even repentance at the sinfulness of what has just taken place.  St. Cyril of Alexandria suggests that we make careful note that immediately after Christ endured His Passion, He began already to win many to the knowledge of the truth.  He suggests that those who beat their chests could not dare do anything more openly against their rulers, and reminds us that Christ said, "When I have been lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (John 7:32).  And then there are those who are Jesus' acquaintances, and the women who've followed Him from Galilee, who watch from a distance.  St. Ephrem the Syrian writes that this is in fulfillment of Scripture:  "My neighbors stood far off" (Psalm 38:11).  But it is these women from Galilee who will come to the tomb to tend to His body.  Finally, we also read of the heroic bravery of Joseph of Arimathea.  This is a wealthy man, for such a tomb would have been extremely costly.  Moreover, he was notably a council member, whom the text tells us was a good and just man, also awaiting the kingdom of God.  It is so very important that we understand that there is no black and white underscoring of groups of people in this story.  The ultimate blame for the evil that has happened goes to spiritual forces of evil, to Satan, who works through the passions (such as envy and greed) of human beings, through our weaknesses, through our temptations.  But although the leaders have instigated this horrific death, we cannot say of the entire council that it is evil, as notably Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are believers and faithful to Christ; here Joseph takes great courage to go openly to Pilate and ask for Christ's body, placing His body in a tomb never before used by anyone.  Some in the crowd beat their breasts in grief, just as the women of Jerusalem who wept while Christ was being led to the place of crucifixion.  There is nothing in the story of the Gospels that condemns one group or another -- however we want to name those groups -- as all bad, for each person has their own choice to make, and the Gospel gives us individuals of every stripe who boldly love Christ, including even the centurion at the Cross who declares Him to be a righteous Man, and will himself become known as a saint of the Church.  It is most important that we understand these things that are given to us in the Gospels, because any lesser observation is wrong, and the foundation of terrible error.  There is a quotation about good and evil found in The Gulag Archipelago, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn:  "Gradually, it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart — and through all human hearts."   Jesus speaks throughout the Gospels of the reality of the human heart:  our weaknesses and temptations, the passions we jealously guard, and our willingness to let these things go in order to live holy lives.  These individuals and every exception to every group tell us of the importance that we understand this struggle in the heart as our real calling, our true spiritual battle.  When we misplace that focus, all manner of error and tragedy can happen.  Although the religious leadership of the Jews would persecute the early Christians (and the man who would become St. Paul chief among persecutors), let us recall that every follower of Christ in the Gospels (with the possible exception of the centurion) was a Jew.  This is what we are taught and what we hold to our hearts, as we also grow in our faith --  as will the apostles, the early Church, and all the women in the text who've remained loyal to Him since the beginning in Galilee.