The Sealing of the Tomb

It’s the sound that gets me every year.

The loud SLAM! made to symbolize the closing of the tomb at the end of the Good Friday worship service.

Although I know to expect it, it makes me jump.

And then it makes me cry. Every. Year.

I know the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection follows…but I still feel sorrow.

I imagine how the disciples and the women who watched Jesus die on the cross must have felt—that sense of loss and desperate finality.

I’ve been thinking about those moments the tomb was sealed.

Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left. Both Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting across from the tomb and watching. Matthew 27:59-61 NLT

Jesus—carefully and lovingly cared for and laid to rest. Instead of a loud SLAM…the scraping sound of rock against rock—sealing the tomb…the physical exertion and grief of moving the “great stone”…saying goodbye forever.

Jesus’ death and resurrection was prophesied, so I suppose they should have known it wasn’t final. And yet, grief can be too much for our human minds and emotions, can’t it?

As a believer, I know God brings about life through death. And that Truth brings comfort and strength in my darkest moments. I wonder how much harder it is for someone who does not know Christ.

The resurrection could not come without Jesus first going to the cross and then the grave.

“It is finished.” Jesus declared.

And because Jesus conquered death, we have life.

Thank You, Lord Jesus! May we never forget the sacrifice You paid for our sins. Even while we are still sinners, You never stop pursuing us. May those who have yet to know You find You pursuing them…and come to know You as their Lord and Savior. Amen.

In Christ,

Laura

Photo credit: Stock photo: salvation

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