As in the Beginning, so the End

And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7)

This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took it down, wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid it in a rock-hewn tomb where no one had ever been laid. (Luke 23:52-53)

* * *

Took.

Laid.

Wrapped.

Alone.

This is Luke’s artistry, showing us through deft literary parallelism that the end of Jesus’ life was like its beginning, and that his birth foreshadowed his death.

Cradle anticipates cross. Manger mirrors the mournful day. Incarnation matches deposition.

And we are saved.