Station 13 Devotional
XIII
The doors are opened quietly
I feel the stones beneath my knee
Those who remained took all that they could save
This praying gives tranquility
At the thirteenth Station of the Cross Jesus’ body is taken down from the cross. The Gospel writers remembered the event like this:
“As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who
had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and
Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen
cloth…” (Matthew 27:59-61).
“It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached,
Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for
the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised
to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had
already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to
Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the
linen…” (Mark 15:42-46).
“Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright
man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean
town of Arimathea, and he himself was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate,
he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth…” (Luke 23:50-
53).
“Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a
disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s
permission, he came and took the body away. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the
man who earlier had visited Jesus at night” (John 19: 38-39).
Reflection Question: What are some of your favorite mementos?
Prayer: God, who loved the world so much that you gave your one and only son that whoever believes in him might have everlasting life, we thank you for your gift. In the name of Jesus, who died for us.