Daily Worship

The Cross is Empty

March 26, 2016 0 0

John 19:38-42

After these things, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, though a secret one because of his fear of the Jews, asked Pilate to let him take away the body of Jesus. Pilate gave him permission; so he came and removed his body.
Nicodemus, who had at first come to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, weighing about a hundred pounds.
They took the body of Jesus and wrapped it with the spices in linen cloths, according to the burial custom of the Jews.
Now there was a garden in the place where he was crucified, and in the garden there was a new tomb in which no one had ever been laid.
And so, because it was the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.

God, make this a quiet day of deep inner reflection.

The cross is empty and your Son rests in a tomb
He descends into hell
To take on the powers of evil
And he does all this for me,
for us,
for all women and men.
He does this to mediate your love and goodness to those who do not deserve it.

Is it possible for us to take on the powers of evil too and to defeat them in his name?

Because of the cross we know that it is possible -
so, help us to take on the evils of poverty,
misery,
materialism,
selfishness,
and every other iniquity
that keeps us from enjoying our relationships with one another
and with you.