One of Jesus’ disciples was a rich man named Joseph of Arimathea. After Jesus was crucified, Joseph got permission from the Roman authorities to bury the body of Jesus.

Joseph and his friend Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body in clean linen cloth. Between the strips of linen, they inserted fragrant spices, as was common in those days. Then they laid Jesus’ body gently in a tomb (Matthew 27:57–60; Mark 15:42–46; Luke 23: 50–53; John 19:38–42). Back then, a tomb was a small, dark room with a dirt floor, carved into rock.

Jesus’ mother, Mary, was there, along with another friend of Jesus, named Mary Magdalene. After they laid Jesus’ body in the tomb, Joseph rolled a big stone over the opening of the tomb (Matthew 27:57–61). And then—their hearts breaking with sorrow—they all walked away.

How shocked and sad people were on the day Jesus died! His mother and brothers and sisters and disciples all missed Him terribly. They cried and cried. They thought, “If only Jesus could somehow come back and be with us.” They didn’t think they’d see their Son, Friend, and Teacher again.

But God had a different plan…