The crucifixion is over and the body of Jesus has been taken down from the cross. No family members have come forward to claim the body, so it appears that the body is destined to be buried in a potter’s field. But that evening, a man named Joseph of Arimathaea meets with Pontius Pilate and requests that the body of Jesus be released to him for burial. Joseph is a respected member of the Jewish council, so Pilate consents to releasing the body of Jesus to him. (Joseph has also been a follower of Jesus, although he has kept that mostly secret in order to not lose his position on the council.)

Joseph prepares the body for burial, using a mixture of myrrh and aloes, and wrapping it in fine linen. It so happens that Joseph owns a sepulchre (a tomb, sort of like a cave) not far from the crucifixion site. Joseph is graciously willing to give up one of the spots in his tomb (none are in use yet) so that the body of Jesus has a place to be laid. So, the body of Jesus is laid to rest in this tomb, and a large stone is placed in front of its entrance. (See Matthew 27:57-60, Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42.)

If you think about it, this is a great example of hospitality. This tomb was likely intended for either Joseph and/or members of his family to eventually be laid to rest. Yet, Joseph willingly gave up one of the spots such that the body of Jesus had a place to go. (Granted, Jesus only needed it for the weekend, but Joseph may not have really understood that.)

You may not ever be in exactly the same position that Joseph was, offering a burial spot to someone not in your family, but many of us do have the opportunity to make a room in our home available for someone other than our family to sleep there — for a night, for a weekend, maybe even longer. These types of opportunities can arise in conjunction with church events being held near our homes. Church members attending such events may welcome the opportunity to sleep in your home rather than going to a hotel.

Have you ever hosted church members at your home? If not, you’re missing out on a blessing. Although we can enjoy each other’s company at worship services and other church activities, we get to know each other best by spending time in each other’s homes. Instead of being just faces in a congregation, our brothers and sisters become real people with their own endearing qualities as well as their own challenges that we may have never been aware of had we not spent this type of time together. When we spend this type of time together, we can:

• Share blessings and experiences from our years of serving God
• Laugh about funny things that have happened to us
• Learn things about each other that we never knew
• Share prayer needs not typically shared in public church meetings
• Pray for each other

Admittedly, there is some work involved in preparing your home for a visit. Food needs to be purchased and prepared. Bathrooms may need to be cleaned and clean sheets put on beds. However, try not to let the work involved discourage you from hosting visitors. Your relationship with those who stay at your home will be different afterward. When you later encounter the same people at church meetings, they will be more than a hand to shake and someone to say “God bless you” to — they will be friends with whom you can recall the blessed time you enjoyed together.

In the Book of Alma, a man named Amulek was told in a vision to open his home to the prophet Alma. Amulek went to Alma and said:

“Go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.” (Alma 8:20)

Alma stayed at Amulek’s house for many days, and Amulek’s life was forever changed — he became a co-worker with Alma and received equivalent power from God as he worked for the Lord. It all started when he said to Alma, “Come to my house.” Try saying the same to people of God today and see how your life is changed.