A daily devotional celebrating the grace and sharing the love of God

John 19:40 (NIV) They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.

Today at our church we will go forward and drive a nail into a wooden cross. The sound of those nails will echo in the darkened sanctuary. It will be an emotional moment. There will be no small talk, no happy conversation, just hammer sounds. And a lot of tears. We will leave the service without speaking leaving behind a cross with 50 something nails in it. Tomorrow, someone will pull the nails and put the cross back into a closet.

We focus our Good Friday services on putting Jesus on the cross. I’ve never seen one that included taking him down. Imagine what that must have been like. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two Jewish leaders who loved Jesus, pulling the nails out. Removing the crown of thorns. Handling the body. Holding Jesus. Getting bloody. Wrapping and carrying the body. Rubbing the body with spices. Placing it in the tomb. Imagine…

I’ll bet there was no small talk and the spices were wet with tears as these two men did what had to be done. Such love… and I am speechless.