Thank you once again for joining us in our series “The Suffering, Death, and Resurrection of Jesus.” May our devotion for today encourage you to trust our Savior.

Sumama kay Jose ang mga babaing sumunod kay Jesus mula pa sa Galilea. Nakita nila ang libingan at ang pagkakalagay doon ng bangkay ni Jesus. Pagkatapos, umuwi sila at naghanda ng mga pabango at mira. Dahil sumapit na ang Araw ng Pamamahinga, nangilin sila ayon sa itinakda ng Kautusan.

Lucas 23:55–56

The lifeless body of Jesus hung on the cross. The curious crowd had started to disperse while the faithful women following Him were still wiping tears from their cheeks. What will happen to His body? They might have wondered.

Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, asked Pilate for it. A wealthy man, he had a rock-cut tomb where no one had ever been laid. Nicodemus, the Pharisee who asked Jesus questions, also came to help. Together, they took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in linen with the spices Nicodemus brought, and laid it in the tomb in the garden. The words of Isaiah have been fulfilled, “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth (Isaiah 53:9).

But where were the disciples? Fear of the Romans made them abandon Jesus and scurry to safety. Imagine how they felt. They were sad, confused, and heartbroken over the loss of their master. Pinagod lang ba nila ang sarili nila sa pagsunod  … para sa wala?

The day after Jesus died was the Sabbath day of rest. For those who demanded the execution of Jesus, they spent it savoring the taste of victory. For those who believed, the air was shrouded in sorrow and despair. They must have spent the day reflecting on who Jesus was, what He meant to them, and what they will do now that He is gone. But soon, they will discover that the story hasn’t ended yet. A glorious page awaits.

Tune in again tomorrow for the last part of our series. Join us as we bring you the good news about the resurrection of our Lord Jesus.