The Borrowed Tomb: Mark 15:42-47

It was Preparation Day—the day before the Sabbath—and evening was approaching. The body could not hang there through the holy day.

Joseph of Arimathea appeared. Mark identifies him: a prominent member of the Council, one who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God. He had sat in the Sanhedrin that condemned Jesus. Now he went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body.

Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. Crucifixion could last days; Jesus had died in hours. He summoned the centurion and asked if Jesus had already died. When he learned the truth from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.

Joseph bought linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and laid it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance.

The details matter: a real body, taken down from a real cross, wrapped in real cloth, placed in a real tomb, sealed with a real stone. This was no swoon, no illusion, no spiritual metaphor. Jesus was dead. His corpse lay cold in a rich man's grave.

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

The women watched. They would remember the location. When the Sabbath ended, they would return with spices to anoint the body properly.

Night fell on Friday. The Sabbath began. Somewhere in Jerusalem, disciples hid behind locked doors. Somewhere in the garden, a stone sealed a tomb. The Teacher was dead. The movement was over. Hope had been buried.

Or so it seemed.