“So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” John 19: 40. . . . “and stooping and looking in, he saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in.” John 20: 5.
Christianity hinges on Easter morning; the empty tomb; the resurrected Christ.
But before the joy of Easter morning came the despair of Friday afternoon, the crucifixion and death of Christ. One doesn’t happen without the other.
We know from the gospel writer John (John 19: 38-40) that Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for Jesus’ body, an act that must have taken a tremendous amount of courage. Then, with help from Nicodemus, the two men laid the dead preacher in a tomb then, we can only assume, returned to their homes, likely fearful and confused, perhaps utterly defeated.
An empty tomb greeted the second day sunrise. We know the responses of the Peter and John and the other apostles, and the reactions from several other early followers.
Imagine when Joe and Nick heard the news.
The Outdoor Notebook 