STATION 13: JESUS IS TAKEN DOWN FROM THE CROSS

Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.
— John 19:38-42 (New Living Translation)

Station 13

In the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, there is an oil-soaked stone called the Stone of Anointing. Tradition says that it was on this stone that Jesus’ body was placed after being taken down from the cross. Jesus’ body was anointed with oil and wrapped with spices.

Because it was almost the Sabbath, the burial process could not be completed. Because his death was so unexpected, there was no tomb prepared for him. His body would have to be laid in a borrowed tomb, and the last acts of respect as his followers cared for his body would have to wait until that Sunday morning.

We do not know if this was the actual stone where Joseph rested Jesus’ body. But millions of pilgrims have come to this place to wipe their own burial cloths on the stone, and to pour their own oil upon it. The stone is rich with scent of olives and perfume, as people have found comfort in the knowledge that their Savior has gone before them in death, and that his resurrection offers them the promise of life eternal with their God.

Let us pray.

Gracious God,

We pray for those we have known and loved who have died before us. We thank you for the gift of those relationships, even as we grieve their loss. We thank you for the promise of the continuation of our spirits beyond our earthly understanding. We thank you for your love for the people we have loved. We entrust them into your care.

We pray for those who mourn this day, that they might find comfort and hope in your love. We pray that they would know that as much as they love their person, that you love them infinitely more. We pray that they would know that just as you mourned with Mary and Martha at the graveside of their brother Lazarus, so you also grieve with them in their loss.

We pray for those who are nearing the end of their lives, that as they pass from this life to life with you, they would be surrounded with knowledge of your love.

We pray that as we consider how Jesus gave his body and his blood for us, that we would be strengthened, while we yet live, to pour ourselves out in service to others and in gratitude to you. We pray for ourselves, that as we one day face our own mortality, that we would do so knowing that you journey with us every step of the way into eternity.

We finish this station by praying in silence, that you would open our spirits to you this day.