The Burial of Jesus

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man

51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment. (NASB95)

INTRODUCTION

VERSES 50-51

VERSES 52-53

VERSES 53-56

The authors of all four gospel shared details about the burial of Jesus in order to confirm Jesus really died on the cross. You may think this is an unnecessary statement, however, the devil has led many to use every argument imaginable to destroy the truth about our Lord’s death burial and resurrection. The truth is, there had to be a death in order to have a resurrection. Paul saw the importance of letting the Corinthian church know Jesus really died and “was buried.”

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

4 and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, (NASB95)

THE REQUEST BEFORE THE BURIAL OF JESUS

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man

50 And a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man

Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin Council which was made up of religious leaders. Most of the members of “the Council” were responsible for arranging the crucifixion of Jesus.

The first thing we read in Luke’s gospel account is the mention of “a man named Joseph,” the man who made the request before the burial of Jesus. Joseph was known as “a good and righteous man.”

Joseph was known as “a good and righteous man” according to Luke.

Joseph was a member of the Sanhedrin Council which was made up of Jewish religious leaders. A careful study of the gospels unveils how most of the members of “the Council” were directly responsible for arranging the crucifixion of Jesus.

51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

51 (he had not consented to their plan and action), a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God;

It is encouraging to know every Sanhedrin Council member did not consent to the death of Jesus. Joseph did not consent to the “plan and action” of the Sanhedrin Council. Scholars are not certain if Joseph was present when the vote was taken because of the unanimous voted recorded in Mark’s gospel account.

It is encouraging to know every Sanhedrin Council member did not consent to the death of Jesus. Joseph did not consent to the “plan and action” of the Sanhedrin Council. Scholars are not certain if Joseph was present when the council “consented to their plan and action” because of the unanimous voted recorded in Mark’s gospel account.

64 “You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. (NASB95)

There was another Sanhedrin Council member, whom we will soon learn, helped Joseph with the burial of Jesus, therefore, at least two of the council members may have been absent when the vote was taken to condemn Jesus.

64 “You have heard the blasphemy; how does it seem to you?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death. (NASB95)

There was another Sanhedrin Council member, whom we will soon learn, helped Joseph with the burial of Jesus, therefore, at least two of the council members may have been absent when the vote was taken to condemn Jesus.

52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

There was another Sanhedrin Council member, about whom we will soon learn, helped Joseph with the burial of Jesus, therefore, at least two of the council members may have been absent when the vote was taken to condemn Jesus.

It took a lot of courage for Joseph to appear before Pilate and ask “for the body of Jesus,” especially when giving consideration to him being a secret disciple due to his “fear of the Jews.”

52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

Verse fifty-two reveals to us how Jesus had touched many lives during His earthly ministry and how quickly many of them boldly stepped up immediately following His death. When we take time to think about it, we can readily see how much courage it took for Joseph to appear before Pilate and ask “for the body of Jesus,” especially when we give consideration to him being a secret disciple due to his “fear of the Jews.”

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.

41 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.

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (NASB95)

41 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.

William Barclay wrote, “It was the custom that the bodies of criminals were not buried at all but left to the dogs and the vultures to dispose of; but Joseph of Arimathaea saved the body of Jesus from that indignity.”

42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (NASB95)

William Barclay wrote, “It was the custom that the bodies of criminals were not buried at all but left to the dogs and the vultures to dispose of; but Joseph of Arimathaea saved the body of Jesus from that indignity.” The request before the burial of Jesus should encourage each of us to boldly step up, especially when we feel uncomfortable or terrified.

THE REMOVAL FOR THE BURIAL OF JESUS

53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.

Handling a dead body disqualified Joseph for Passover. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “He defiled himself for Passover week, but it made no difference: he had met the Lamb of God, and that was all that mattered.” We must refer to Mosaic law to understand the reason for the disqualification.

1 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them: ‘No one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people,

Handling a dead body disqualified Joseph for Passover. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “He defiled himself for Passover week, but it made no difference: he had met the Lamb of God, and that was all that mattered.” William MacDonald wrote, “In burying the body of Jesus, Joseph also buried himself, in a sense. That act separated him forever from the nation that crucified the Lord of life and glory. He would never be a part of Judaism again, but would live in moral separation from it and testify against it.”

Handling a dead body disqualified Joseph for Passover. William MacDonald wrote, “In burying the body of Jesus, Joseph also buried himself, in a sense. That act separated him forever from the nation that crucified the Lord of life and glory. He would never be a part of Judaism again, but would live in moral separation from it and testify against it.”

The Apostle John teaches us Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. He also tells us Nicodemus helped Joseph bury the body of the Lord Jesus.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

2 except for his relatives who are nearest to him, his mother and his father and his son and his daughter and his brother, (NASB95)

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.

Handling a dead body disqualified Joseph for Passover. William MacDonald wrote, “In burying the body of Jesus, Joseph also buried himself, in a sense. That act separated him forever from the nation that crucified the Lord of life and glory. He would never be a part of Judaism again, but would live in moral separation from it and testify against it.”

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

41 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.

The Lord provides an example of “some men” who were considered unclean and unable to observe Passover because they touched a dead person.

42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (NASB95)

Jesus died around 3:00 p.m. which gave Joseph and Nicodemus about three hours or less in the removal for the burial of Jesus in order to keep the Sabbath. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is likely that Joseph and Nicodemus had learned from the Old Testament Scriptures how Jesus would die, so they agreed to take care of His burial. The new tomb was likely Joseph’s, prepared in a garden near Golgotha but not for himself; it was for Jesus. No rich man would prepare his own burial place so near a place of execution and so far from his own home. The two men could well have been hiding in the tomb while Jesus was on the cross, waiting for that moment when He would yield up His life. They would have the spices and the winding sheets all prepared, for they would probably not be able to go shopping for these items on Passover.”

in order to keep the Sabbath.

Jesus died around 3:00 p.m. which gave Joseph and Nicodemus about three hours or less in the removal for the burial of Jesus in order to keep the Sabbath. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is likely that Joseph and Nicodemus had learned from the Old Testament Scriptures how Jesus would die, so they agreed to take care of His burial. The new tomb was likely Joseph’s, prepared in a garden near Golgotha but not for himself; it was for Jesus. No rich man would prepare his own burial place so near a place of execution and so far from his own home. The two men could well have been hiding in the tomb while Jesus was on the cross, waiting for that moment when He would yield up His life. They would have the spices and the winding sheets all prepared, for they would probably not be able to go shopping for these items on Passover.”

54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

6 But there were some men who were unclean because of the dead person, so that they could not observe Passover on that day; so they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. (NASB95)

It no longer mattered if Joseph was unable to observe Passover, because Jesus was the all sufficient, substitutionary, atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity which rendered Passover null and void. It was no longer necessary to offer a lamb without blemish because Jesus was God’s sinless sacrificial Lamb. William MacDonald wrote, “In burying the body of Jesus, Joseph also buried himself, in a sense. That act separated him forever from the nation that crucified the Lord of life and glory. He would never be a part of Judaism again, but would live in moral separation from it and testify against it.”

The Apostle John teaches us Joseph was a secret disciple of Jesus. He also tells us Nicodemus helped Joseph bury the body of the Lord Jesus.

Most would identify the “preparation day” as Friday which is the day before the Sabbath. It was the custom of the Jews to observe the Sabbath from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday.

38 After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body.

39 Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.

40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.

41 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.

42 Therefore because of the Jewish day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there. (NASB95)

Jesus died around 3:00 p.m. which gave Joseph and Nicodemus about three hours or less in the removal for the burial of Jesus in order to keep the Sabbath. Warren Wiersbe wrote, “It is likely that Joseph and Nicodemus had learned from the Old Testament Scriptures how Jesus would die, so they agreed to take care of His burial. The new tomb was likely Joseph’s, prepared in a garden near Golgotha but not for himself; it was for Jesus. No rich man would prepare his own burial place so near a place of execution and so far from his own home. The two men could well have been hiding in the tomb while Jesus was on the cross, waiting for that moment when He would yield up His life. They would have the spices and the winding sheets all prepared, for they would probably not be able to go shopping for these items on Passover.”

54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

Most would identify the “preparation day” as Friday which is the day before the Sabbath. It was the custom of the Jews to observe the Sabbath from 6:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday. When considering these things, it is easy to understand why Joseph and Nicodemus were pressed for time and worked quickly in the removal for the burial of Jesus. In other words, they were willing to do whatever was necessary to give Jesus a proper burial.

THE RETURN FROM THE BURIAL OF JESUS

THE RETURN FROM THE BURIAL OF JESUS

55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

The women returned from the burial of Jesus to prepare the “spices and perfumes” needed to give Jesus a proper burial. They chose to be obedient to God’s commandment and rest “on the Sabbath.”

56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

9 “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

The women returned from the burial of Jesus to prepare the “spices and perfumes” needed to give Jesus a proper burial. They chose to be obedient to God’s commandment and rest “on the Sabbath.”

The women returned from the burial of Jesus to prepare the “spices and perfumes” needed to give Jesus a proper burial. They chose to be obedient to God’s commandment and rest “on the Sabbath.”

8 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

11 “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. (NASB95)

9 “Six days you shall labor and do all your work,

The women returned from the burial of Jesus to prepare the “spices and perfumes” needed to give Jesus a proper burial.

10 but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

In Jewish life, the Sabbath was considered to be a day of worship and rest. After the resurrection of Jesus, the Lord’s Day became the new day for Christians to worship and rest. Unfortunately, we wilted to compromise our convictions and allowed our day of worship and rest to become a day of work and recreation. The generations who have followed us have very little or no convictions about Sunday being a day to worship the Lord and rest our bodies in preparation for a new week of working on our jobs and laboring in God’s fields. These ladies along with Joseph and Nicodemus were pressed for time after they returned from the burial of Jesus, but they got the work finished and spent their Sabbath resting their bodies and worshipping the Lord.

11 “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day; therefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day and made it holy. (NASB95)

In Jewish life, the Sabbath was considered to be a day of worship and rest. After the resurrection of Jesus, the Lord’s Day was considered to be the day for Christians to worship and rest. Unfortunately, we wilted to compromise our convictions and allow our day of worship and rest to become a day of work and recreation. The generations who have followed have no convictions about the Lord’s Day being a day to worship the Lord and rest our bodies in preparation for a new week of working on our jobs. These ladies were pressed for time after they returned for the burial of Jesus, but they got the work finished and spent their Sabbath resting their bodies and worshipping the Lord.

CONCLUSION

Have you boldly identified yourself as a disciple of Jesus, even when you feel uncomfortable and terrified about the uncertainty of the outcome? Sometimes we must work quickly to honor and glorify Jesus. Even now, it is urgent to share the message of the gospel with every lost person in our communities and around the world. Is there an urgency in your work for Jesus? And finally, is Sunday a day of work and recreation or do you have strong convictions about the Lord’s Day being a day of worship and rest?

Have you boldly identified yourself as a disciple of Jesus, even when you feel uncomfortable and terrified about the uncertainty of the outcome? Sometimes we must work quickly to honor and glorify Jesus. Even now, it is urgent to share the message of the gospel with every lost person in our communities and around the world. Is there an urgency in your work for Jesus? And finally, is Sunday a day of work and recreation or do you have strong convictions about the Lord’s Day being a day of worship and rest?

The burial of Jesus is sandwiched between His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead. The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the message of salvation to every lost soul who is willing to repent of sin and believe in Jesus and His atoning work on the cross. Will you take the hand of grace reaching out to you and accept Jesus as your Savior?

Prepared for First Baptist Church Oakdale - April 2, 2014