As I meditated upon what the Scriptures said, “He took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid him in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. It was the day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. The women, who had come with him out of Galilee, followed after, and saw the tomb, and how his body was laid. They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment” (Luke 23:53–56, ESV), I saw how Joseph took the body of Jesus, wrapped it carefully in linen, and laid it in his own newly hewn tomb. He then rolled a large stone across the entrance and departed. Meanwhile, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat opposite the tomb, watching at the tomb, as I pondered upon my Holy Saturday’s reading.
Indeed, “Anointing symbolized the preservation of all true and good qualities with the person, and also their resurrection. For this reason they used this kind of substance that symbolized the person’s outermost life, which is called the sensory life ointments” (Secrets of Heaven 10252.7). Truly, “when we move from the natural world into the spiritual, which happens when we die, we take with us everything that pertains to our character except our earthly body…. We want, wish, crave, think, ponder, are moved, love, and intend the way we used to. …We even take with us our natural memory, since we retain everything we have heard, seen, read, learned, or thought in the world from earliest infancy to the very end of life” (Heaven and Hell 461) as both highlighted inside New Church’s reading.
Today, I choose to embrace every good quality that reflects the true nature God has placed within me. I carry these anointed traits forward into the eternal life with Jesus in His glory. Every thought, intention, action, experience, and feeling is preserved for the life to come. I thank God for His mercy and grace, poured out through Jesus — His blood flowing toward me and, through me, to others. I pray that God continually reminds me of Christ’s love and His sacrifice on the cross, especially in moments of doubt. Standing at the foot of the cross, I am assured of how deeply Jesus loves me and how I am called to love others as well (1 John 3:16, NIV). Truly, apart from the cross, I would have nothing without God (Ecclesiastes 6:6; John 15:5, NIV). (Pondered upon Every Day with Jesus devotional text – 21st Mar 2024)
What experiences do you especially want to carry with you into the next life of eternity?
Profile Background:
Jeremy Koh is a graduate with a disability from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (formerly the Spastic Children Association, 1987–1997). He holds certifications in Microsoft Office Skills and completed the HR Administrator program (CHRA) through the Human Capital Singapore–SGEnable Collaboration of Partnership (HCS HR PowerBank, 7th Dec 2021–3rd June 2022). Over the years, Jeremy has taken on various roles, including Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant, Connector at ServeHope Pte Ltd, and a member of the GrowthBeans Team at Savior–Asia Consulting Pte Ltd. He also worked as a KeyGuard Specialist at (these)abilites Pte Ltd, overseeing all KeyGuard operations at World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch) for 10 months. Additionally, Jeremy served as an Executive Assistant at Vision Strategy Storytelling for three months (Aug–Oct 2017). He founded the Project Stories for LIFE initiative (currently suspended), which is affiliated with Youth Corps Singapore, and has previously been involved with the Special Needs Cluster. As a disability advocate, Jeremy continues to actively represent the disabled community in public.
Prayer Response to this featured article:
Jesus, us to carry the good qualities of true nature within me/us into the next life of eternity
(Written by Jeremy Koh, 30th Mar 2024 – Holy Saturday)
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