Christ’s Death, 5of5

~ Consider Events Just After His Death ~

The Setting  ~  Jesus buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.  (Parallel passages are Matthew 27:57-61, Mark 15:42-47, and Luke 23:50-56). 

The Account  ~  “After this, Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him permission.  So he came and took the body of Jesus.  And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.  Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.  Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid.  So there they laid Jesus, because of the Jews' Preparation Day, for the tomb was nearby” (John 19:38-42). 

Some Observations  ~  (1) As we contemplate Jesus’ death we recognize that Jesus while He was a fully God He also lived a fully human life in identification with us.  (2) While our natural human tendency is to fear death, Jesus has gone before and conquered death. 

Some Lessons  ~  (1) Riches are not the important thing in this life.  At His birth he laid in a borrowed manger.  Throughout His life we know of nothing that He owned.  At His burial he was put in a borrowed tomb.  (2) We should never give up hope.  How hopeless the scene of His death appeared to His followers.  But God is sovereign and things continued to work out for our good.  (3) For the Christian death is not the end but rather the beginning of eternity-future and a life of sublime pleasure and enjoyment. 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15). This is the most important question you will ever answer. If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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