The Tomb

After all this, Joseph of Arimathea (he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, because he was intimidated by the Jews) petitioned Pilate to take the body of Jesus. Pilate gave permission. So Joseph came and took the body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Jesus at night, came now in broad daylight carrying a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. They took Jesus' body and, following the Jewish burial custom, wrapped it in linen with the spices. There was a garden near the place he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been placed. So, because it was Sabbath preparation for the Jews and the tomb was convenient, they placed Jesus in it.

John 19:38-42

In Jewish tradition it is counted as a mitzvah (good deed) to help in erecting someone's tomb. If you visit a grave after it has been done and the stone marker has been erected you can no longer assist in that. Thus it has become a tradition to place a stone on a grave marker as a symbol of participating in the mitzvah. Stones, of course, symbolize permanence. Jesus was laid in a stone tomb with a stone to cover the entrance. He left the tomb, proving that God's love is more permanent than death. Feel free to leave a stone in the tomb as you reflect on God's love.