Winter Storm Benedict

This

just

might

be

the

best

snowstorm

ever

because

after all,

I

don't

do

the

digging out

around here.

It's good to be Queen.

The Nails

My daughter saw a book next to me with Jesus' picture on it. Here's part of the discussion that ensued:

Daughter: "Is that Jesus?"

Me (Dad): "Yes."

Daughter: "Is that Jesus come back to life?"

Me: "Yes." (It was a drawing/mosaic of the Resurrected Jesus fresh out of the tomb. I was surprised, though, that the subject of the scene was so obvious to my five year old.)

Daughter: "How did they get the nails out of his body?"

Me: "I guess his friends got them out."

The conversation continued on from there, but that question about the nails has stuck with me. "How did they get the nails out of his body?"

I can't remember ever thinking of that. Ever picturing that part of the scene.

Mark and Luke both note that, with the permission of Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea "took down the body" (of Jesus) and then "wrapped it in linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock." A simple summary of what must have involved quite a bit of work.

"How did they get the nails out of his body? "

I have no idea. Were they able to pry the spikes back out of the wood? Did they simply have to pull his arms and feet off, right over the heads of the spikes? It's a gruesome image either way. As I consider that simple question, "How did they get the nails out of his body" I am reminded of the grisly nature of the scene on Calvary, where Jesus died. I am reminded that sin itself, the reason for this scene, is gruesome business.

This was a scene of blood and sweat, of torn flesh and the gasping of breath, of utter suffering, of death.

This was a scene of amazing love and unfathomable grace.

There, the Son of God willingly endured such horror for you and for me.

They "took down the body, wrapped it in linen cloth, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock."

And the scene changes. There is a rumble of an earthquake. A stone is rolled away. There is an angel clothed in white. "He is not here. He is risen. See where they laid him." There is running. There is confusion. There is doubt. There is wonder. There is some fear.

And then. There is Jesus. "Peace be with you." Look at his hands. Look at his feet. It is Jesus. He is Alive!

Christ is Risen.

He is Risen Indeed.

Alleluia! Alleluia!

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Note: Also posted here