March 28 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

In March we read the gospel of John. John wrote his gospel so that his readers would know and believe the claims of Jesus. Those who do have everlasting life here and now.

Bible Reading:

John 19:38–42

Bible Text:

Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there (John 19:42).

Devotional:

They took Jesus from the cross on the day of Preparation, as the sun was setting. The Sabbath was about to begin, and on the Sabbath work stopped for all Jews, including those who lovingly tended to Jesus' burial.

For one who died a criminal's death, Jesus was given a royal funeral. Seventy-five pounds of spices lined the cloth that bandaged his lifeless body. He was laid in a new hewn-rock tomb that belonged to a wealthy disciple named Joseph from the village of Arimathea.

Until this moment Joseph had never openly admitted he was a follower of Jesus. Nicodemus, the other wealthy man, donated the spices. He had once come to Jesus at night (3:2), and he had protested when his fellow council members condemned Jesus before hearing him (7:50).

It is not so remarkable that these two secret admirers come out openly to pay respect to Jesus, now that he is dead. It happens often that those who owe someone a tribute will wait to offer it until the funeral. The remarkable thing about Jesus' funeral is the absence of his regular disciples. All had fled, says Mark (14:50). Jesus had predicted it: "You will all fall away." And he had quoted the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7, "Strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered."

But the women were there. They were the last to weep at the cross and the first to laugh on Easter Sunday.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.