Introduction: For the last few days, these devotions have carried us through the steps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, during what is called PASSION WEEK. Do you remember that week? Our prayer is that by tracing the journey of JESUS to the cross and beyond will activate a greater love and devotion to Him, which will result in a more dedicated lifestyle that glorifies the One who laid down His life for us {and then took it up again}. What about it?
Starting with the “Anointing” of JESUS, imagine the scene. Next, Jesus goes with His disciples to the UPPER ROOM. From there, He goes to GETHSEMANE’S GLOOM! Follow closely, because next is the KANGAROO COURT BUFFOONS, and now CALVARY’S DOOM. From CALVARY’S DOOM, JESUS went to the BORROWED TOMB.
Did Jesus really die? Some say He merely fainted. Seriously? The evangelist John, who witnessed His crucifixion, wrote these words: “The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day (for that sabbath day was an high day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus, and saw that He was dead already, they brake not His legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:31–34)
Note several truths:
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Not a bone would be broken (John 19:36–37)
“For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of Him shall not be broken.”
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They would look upon Him whom they pierced, “And again another scripture saith, They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”
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Jesus did not faint but died, as indicated with the evidence of BLOOD and WATER (John 19:34)
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced His side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.”
Clearly, this reveals the definitive death of JESUS.
Now for the burial:
1. First, the PREPARATION for the burial of JESUS! (Matt. 27:57–61) – “When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: he went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed.”
The apostle John adds these words to the burial:
“And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.” (John 19:38–40)
Even though it was a hurried procedure because of the Passover, the gospel writers took painstaking time to give pertinent information concerning the burial process, which is helpful for every child of God to know and believe, not to mention to use in defending our faith in JESUS CHRIST.
2. Second, the PREPARATION for securing the tomb of JESUS! (Matt. 27:62–66) – “Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night, and steal Him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.”
This information blows the theory that the body of JESUS was stolen from the tomb.
The last and extremely important point of this narrative is found in Matthew’s account, which reads: “And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.”
Why is this significant?
Conclusion: All of these specific details recorded in the Holy Scriptures were meant to be read by the followers of JESUS CHRIST. In so doing, our lives would be changed by the power of a living God. More to come.
What about it?
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese
