Mark 15.46
Then Joseph bought a linen cloth, and taking down the body, wrapped it in the linen cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock. He then rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
Reflection
In order to fully grasp a resurrected Christ, we must also come to terms with the death of Christ. Christ’s act of self-giving love for the sake of the world not only plays a pivotal role in the redemptive arch of the gospel narrative, but also paints an image of the Christian life. He that was fully God humbled himself into human form, suffered a humiliating form of torture, and died. At the center of this Holy Week stands the image of the suffering God.
We are left then, with a choice. A choice to reject the crucified, reject the message of the gospel, to reject the notion of self-giving live, or to pick up our own cross and follow the crucified one.
As you pray today, contemplate those spaces in life where you might be being invited to take up your cross and follow? What does it mean to live life in the way of Christ in light of this ultimate expression of self-giving love?
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus, Lord of life, you became as nothing for us: be with those who feel worthless and as nothing in the world’s eyes. You were laid in a cold, dark tomb and hidden from sight: be with all who suffer and die in secret, hidden from the eyes of the world. To you, Jesus, your rigid body imprisoned in a tomb, be honor and glory with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
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