By: Mae Esther
The last rays of sunlight were slowly beginning to disappear when Jesus died on the cross. The long day of awful shame and cruelty had finally come to an end.
It had been a miserable Friday.
Jesus disciples watched from a distance as his body stopped breathing.
John, the youngest apostle was near the cross with the women and he held Jesus mum, Mary, in his arms as she sobbed quietly. Her son was dead.
Their hearts had shattered into a million pieces as Jesus breathed his last. They felt like they couldn’t breathe either because there was so much pain in their heart and soul.
How they would miss Jesus – how they wished he was still alive and performing miracles. He had done so much for everyone. How could people be so cruel and do this to him?
John looked at Mary and with a trembling voice said, “They will bury him soon. I just wish we were allowed to put him in a tomb ourselves.”
Mary nodded and wiped her tears, “Me too.” She squeaked.
But they weren’t allowed to take Jesus body and bury him themselves. The Roman soldiers would take him and place him somewhere else. The disciples didn’t want that, but there was nothing they could do.
As the afternoon got darker, an eerie stillness hung over Calvary. The large crowds were slowly leaving the cross. Everyone felt heavy with sadness. No one laughed or talked – a few whispers were heard now and then, but nothing else.
Mary staggered a little and John and the other women grabbed her arm and steadied her.
“Maybe you should rest a little bit.” Mary Magdalene whispered. “Why doesn’t John stay here and we go.”
Mary shook her head, “No, I want to stay until my son is taken down and buried.” Her lips quivered. Her chin lifted. She was determined to stay.
John opened his mouth to speak, but a deep male voice interrupted him.
It was Nicodemus and John of Arimathea! Both of these men were extremely important and very rich.
Big round eyes turned to them.
Nicodemus touched Mary’s arm with compassion, his eyes filled with tears, “I’m sorry.” He whispered.
She nodded.
Joseph of Arimathea spoke, “We have spoken with Pilate. We can bury Jesus ourselves. We believe he deserves a proper burial.”
Everyone breathed in relief. This was great news.
Nicodemus lifted his arms and showed them somethings he carried, “This is myrrh and aloes so we can put on Jesus bruised body.”
Mary gasped; suddenly remembering Jesus birth and how the wise men had brought him myrrh. Now at his death myrrh was brought again – like a true king.
The men got busy bringing Jesus body gently down from the cross.
“There’s a tomb just near here – near Calvary.” Nicodemus said, “It’s sitting in a beautiful garden.”
Quietly the small group of people followed the men towards the tomb.
“Who does this tomb belong to?” John asked as they gently placed Jesus in it.
Joseph cleared his throat, “It’s mine. But it’s an honour for Jesus to use it.”
Mary whispered a thank you and everyone looked at Joseph with admiration and respect.
They carefully wrapped Jesus in a linen sheet and soon rolled the huge heavy stone against the entrance of the tomb – sealing it eternally.
As the sun disappeared further down the horizon, everyone left the tomb area and headed home. It was almost Sabbath.
But, Jesus wasn’t left alone. Roman soldiers placed a largely visible seal on the tomb and camped the night. They were going to guard the tomb so one could steal Jesus body – he was trapped in there forever.
SILENCE AND SADNESS FILLED JESUS FRIENDS HEART FOR THREE LONG DAYS.
But, everything CHANGED on Sunday morning.
The darkness of Saturday night was slowly disappearing as Sunday announced its arrival. Little flashes of light danced in the early morning wanting to break free.
Jesus was still prisoner in the narrow tomb and the great big stone still stood menacingly covering the mouth of the entrance.
Everything was still. Everything was quiet.
Suddenly!
A booming rumble vibrated under the earth and a violent earthquake shook.
The soldiers shouted at one another in confusion – what was going on? They stumbled and staggered trying to steady themselves but impossible to do as the earth under their feet trembled ferociously.
Blinding light illuminated the surroundings and a loud mighty voice called, “Son of God, your father calls you. Come forward!”
The soldiers on duty screamed and shrunk back in terror as the mighty scene unfolded in front of them.
At the sight of the angel some of them collapsed to the ground like dead men.
The gigantic rock that covered the entrance of the tomb was rolled back with just a touch of the powerful angel and then….
Jesus came out.
He didn’t look like the man who had been buried – he looked wonderfully new. A glowing light surrounded his whole body.
Jesus was alive!
______________________________
Luke 24:1-10 (Children International Bible)
“Very early on the first day of the week, the women came to the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. They brought the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance of the tomb. They went in, but they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, two men in shining clothes suddenly stood beside them. The women were very afraid; they bowed their heads to the ground. The men said to the women, “Why are you looking for a living person here? This is a place for the dead. Jesus is not here. He has risen from death! Do you remember what he said in Galilee? He said that the Son of Man must be given to evil men, be killed on a cross, and rise from death on the third day.” Then the women remembered what Jesus had said.
The women left the tomb and told all these things to the apostles and the other followers.
Image Credit – Free Bible Images
POPPY’S CRAFT
