John 19:38-42

Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body.  Joseph had hidden his faith as he followed Jesus quietly out of fear but now, he stepped forward to claim Jesus.  He and the disciples saw Jesus’ love, compassion, miracles and authority.  Imagine what was going through their minds as they saw Jesus die.  The shock and confusion.  This is not what they expected of a Messiah.  Think about the heaviness they felt.  They must have had so many questions.  Where was their hope now during their overwhelming grief?  They didn’t know that the tomb would be temporary.  This was not the end of the story.