Fritz von Uhde has depicted the after-sunset-procession when the body of Jesus, having been taken down from the cross, was placed in the garden-tomb. A disciple carries a torch so they can more easily find the way. Two friends carry the feet of Jesus. We see another woman who I think is Mary Magdalene. We'll see her in these clothes in an Easter morning painting. And right in the middle (and partially hidden) we see Mary, Jesus' Mother, walking along. She holds the right hand of Jesus in her own hand, bringing it close to her face.
But the tomb to which these dear ones are taking Jesus' body is not an ordinary tomb. For us, it isn't a place of death and decay. Remember, the women of Easter morning expected an encounter with death. But this tomb is life-giving. It is a tomb of victory and freedom. The Eastern Christian liturgy of Holy and Great Friday makes this announcement:
O Happy Tomb! It received within itself the Creator, as one asleep, and it was made a divine treasury of life, for our salvation who sing: O God our Deliverer, blessed art Thou.O God our Deliverer, blessed art Thou. The life of all submits to be laid in the tomb, according to the law of the dead, and He makes it a source of awakening, for our salvation who sing: O God our Deliverer, blessed art Thou.
Christ's tomb, a source of our awakening? But awakening to what?
Maybe awakening to my Baptism, when, in the water I was introduced to Christ and which set me on the path of being his disciple. Awakening to the new family God is beginning in Christ-Risen. Awakening to the great unfolding of Christ's glorification — Calvary, Easter, Ascension, and from which glorification we are all loved. Awakening to the one thing that matters, which is learning Christ's way of life and love.
Final thought: If Christ leads me to a politician, political party or news-entertainment source — I've gotten it wrong.
