177. Jesus’ burial-
Matt. 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42
-The veracity of Jesus’ burial is important for us to
consider, because if there is no physical death the resurrection could be
considered a hoax. The details of the entombment of the Lord are chronicled by
all four gospel writers as witnesses to the fact that Christ was officially
declared dead and a genuine burial was indeed conducted. Here we summarize the
specifics given as to where, when, and how Jesus was laid to rest in His
deceased state.
-First, we see the intriguing figure of Joseph of Arimathea
(a small Jewish village thought to be 20 miles or so northwest from Jerusalem).
He was a rich man, who fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9. He was described
as a good and righteous member of the Sanhedrin council (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:50).
He was a secret disciple of Jesus who did not consent with the religious
leaders decision and action with the Lord, and he was looking for the Kingdom
of God (Matthew 27:57, Luke 23:51, John 19:38). He was rightfully sacred for
fear of the Jews, but he took courage by the will of God and asked Pilate’s
permission to bury Jesus in his newly hewn tomb in which no one had ever been
laid (Mark 15:43, Luke 23:53). He and Nicodemus anointed the Lord for His
burial and wrapped Him in a clean linen shroud and placed Him in the tomb
quickly because it was the day of Preparation for the Sabbath. Nicodemus was
also a ruler of the Jews in the Sanhedrin, and he was the one who came to Jesus
seeking how to be saved in John 3 (John 19:39). Here we see evidence of his
trusting in Jesus and the coming Kingdom that was not of this world.
-In addition, Pilate, we see from the Scriptures, is
surprised that Jesus was already dead in a matter of hours. With all the events
of the day, which he more than likely witnessed, including the time of
darkness, the earthquake, and the torn veil, he was probably wondering how they
could have so quickly carried out an execution. Mark is the gospel writer who
gives us the perplexity of Pilate when asked for permission for the body of
Jesus. This gospel writer states how Pilate even questioned the centurion as to
the genuineness of Christ’s death, which is even more proof of the physical passing
of Christ from this earth.
-Jesus was laid in the garden tomb, which was very close in
proximity to the place where He was crucified again for the reason of
expediency due to the coming Sabbath (John 19:42). The stone was rolled to
cover the grave to complete the process. This whole sequence was orchestrated
and carried out ultimately by the Hand of God in amazing fashion to fulfill the
Old Testament Scriptures prophetically. It is as if God had seen the whole
drama play out beforehand (which He actually did). Here we see the transcendent
nature of the LORD at this pivotal time in human history. God, who is outside
of time, works in our earthly order to bring about His plans and purposes for
salvation. The fulfillment of these prophecies to the exact degree gives us
reliable reason to have faith and trust in His authority over all things.
*Application* When we actually sit and contemplate how amazing all this is, we
should be astonished and amazed with a heart of worship for this incomparable
God of glory.
-The women, particularly Mary Magdalene and Mary (the mother
of James and John), were watching to see where they laid the Savior. They along
with other women who had followed Jesus from Galilee had been watching the whole
scene at a distance and returned to prepare spices and ointments for His
deceased body. They rested on the Sabbath and would return on the first day of
the week to find the most incredible event of history! *Application* Consider
the facts of Christ’s actual death today and believe in the supernatural. This
was the power of God to save the world and we must believe in His work.
Verse to Memorize- Mark
15:46
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