Mark 15:42-45

Mark 15:42-45 And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. Joseph of Aramathaea and Nicodemus went to Pilate and asked permission to remove the body of Jesus from the cross. When Pilate knew for sure that Jesus was dead, he granted their request. The body was taken down and quickly prepared for burial because the Sabbath was close at hand. The tomb must have been right there near the crucifixion site. Jesus’ body was put in the rock tomb with the ladies planning to come back and finish the preparations when the Sabbath day was ended. That must have been a sad, sad time for those ladies who loved to hear Jesus teach and preach. I am sure that they cried themselves to sleep that night. But, Easter was coming! You won’t have to cry anymore, ladies! What a wonderful surprise awaiting those women on Easter Sunday morning!