Journey to the Cross Through COVIDSample

Sometimes it is hard to see what God is doing. You try to be positive but there seems to be so little to keep your hopes alive. Today’s reading describes one of these times for Jesus’ followers. Jesus was dead. All their dreams had been dashed. Nothing was happening now. We, of course, know that Sunday was coming, but they didn’t. A decent burial was the best they could hope for. Put Jesus’ body in a proper tomb and make it smell sweet. At least they owed him that. But even in their darkness, there were tiny flickers of hope. See if you can find them in the passage.

Read Luke 23:50-56

The people mentioned in this narrative were deeply religious. Joseph was in a hurry to get the body into the tomb before sunset when the Sabbath would begin. Despite their eagerness to do something about Jesus’ body, the women rested on the Sabbath in obedience to God’s commandment. In the middle of their sorrow, they all remained committed to doing things God’s way. That’s a start.

But the text tells us a little more about them. Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish leadership. Up until now we were largely under the impression that this group was a bunch of legalists and hypocrites, but not so. Joseph was a “good and upright man” who had not voted for Jesus’ death but had seen in Jesus a hope for the future. He was prepared to risk his reputation and possibly position to give Jesus a decent burial.

The women were from Galilee and had been disciples of Jesus for some time, receiving his message and supporting his ministry. They had followed him to Jerusalem and were deeply loyal, remaining at the cross to the gruesome end and then following Jesus’ body to its burial. They were devastated but not afraid. They remained unbowed.

There is still a glimmer of hope here if you look closely. A godly mover and shaker. A group of devoted women. Each full of courage and commitment despite the circumstances. Maybe God isn’t finished yet?

There is always hope if you look closely enough. When circumstances are really tough, this hope is often seen in people – those who persevere, those who keep loving, those who continue to pray, those who bring joy, those who show courage. If you look, you will see them – these godly women and men who remain faithful.

Prayer: Praise God for good, godly people like this in your circle. Pray for the strength and courage to join them at this crucial time.