And Joseph took the body, and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb which he had cut out in the rock, and rolled a great Stone against the door of the tomb, and went away. And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre. Matthew 27:59-61 (ASV)
Now after the death of Jesus, the Disciples were scattered off into hiding somewhere. They probably had a lot going through their minds and one of the primary thoughts was for their own safety. But there are a few whom are recorded to having been there for the Savior.
If we had been there in Jesus´ darkest hours, where would we have been? When our true colors are shone what would they look like? How far do we go for Him?
It has been said that those who love Jesus more are those whom have been forgiven more. Mary Magdalene had been forgiven a lot and she was there by His side long after all the others had left. Joseph of Arimathea found enough courage to go up to Pilate to ask for Jesus´ body. He took it and cared for it the best He could, laying it in his own new, expensive tomb.
Perhaps you and I may not feel like we were that bad of persons before. Perhaps we were born into Christian families and attended Christian schools and churches all our lives. If this is the case then perhaps we may think that there was not so much that the Lord needed to forgive. Oh sure, the minor slip-up here or there, but hey, we were not thieves or murderers, right?
If we choose that route we may rob ourselves of loving our Savior as we should. If we defend our own case, we lose precious time where we could be asking for His body, or wrapping Him tenderly. We might miss the opportunity to sit up by His side and look over His sepulcher.
In Matthew 25:40 Jesus says; ¨when you did those things unto the least of my brothers or sisters, you did them unto Me.¨ Far more beneficial would our time be spent in tending to Jesus and those tender souls that belong to Him, than worrying about our own hides, or anything else!
Dear Jesus, have we been there for You? Are we staying by Your side even when things are dark and confusing? Are we showing You our love even in those moments when others are doing other things? Please teach us to love You and Your brothers and sisters around the world. Teach us to love even those brothers and sisters who live right here all around us and need something from us even as we hurry about our busy ways. Let us show that we love You and have Your love in us today, by caring for and tending to those needs of others. Help us to love, and infuse us with Your love in each and every moment we pray.
Amen
Searching For Christ 
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