“This man (Joseph of Arimathea) 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. (Luke 22:52-55).
Father in heaven, how grateful we are for everything You have done for us. Above and beyond every blessing, we thank You for allowing Your Son to come and die in our place that we might have the hope of eternal life through Him! But death could not triumph over Him, because there was no sin in Him! Hallelujah! We love You Lord, because You first loved us. We give You all the honor, the glory and the praise, for Your amazing grace, in the blessed name of Jesus Christ! Amen and Amen!
Throughout this week in Christendom, our hearts have been turned toward the scenes of the last week in the life of Jesus Christ. From His triumphant journey riding on a donkey and the colt of a donkey, to a hill called Golgotha, and the grave.
Apparently, this journey began in Bethany, at the feast in the home of Simon the leper. It was there that Mary Magdalene, anointed Jesus with the very expensive perfume from her alabaster box. While Judas and the other disciples saw this as a waste, Jesus saw it as worship! A worship so significant, and spiritually profound, that Jesus said what she did, would be spoken of, in all the world, for as long as time shall last! We witness His words being fulfilled every year, about this time!
Because Jesus told the “murmurers,” His disciples, not to bother her because of what she had done to Him, Judas, who had no good intentions anyway (Mark 14:4-10; John 12:1-7), took this opportunity to go and betray the Master into the hands of the religious leaders, for “thirty pieces of silver” (Matthew 26:14-16)!
According to the chronological order of John’s gospel, “the next day,” was the triumphal entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-19). There are several items of interest in the Jesus’ Parade:
He is not riding on a war horse. He is riding on a donkey’s colt, symbol that He is the Prince of Peace!
He is not dragging behind Him those whom He has taken captive in war. Instead, those whom He has set free from sickness and death, are leading the parade! Lazarus, called from the grave, is leading the donkey! Hallelujah!
He is not celebrating His triumphant (which is really His prophetical) entry. Instead, Jesus weeps profoundly, as He foresees what will happen to His people in the years to come; the very ones who are plotting His death (Luke 19:41-44). What a Savior!
But thank God, this is not the way the story ends! The best is yet to come!
NOTE: I do not publish a devotional on Sundays, but I will be publishing Part 2 of this devotional tomorrow, on Easter Sunday.
I have made a few additions to this devotional.