Palm Sunday 2026

The Exchange of a Lifetime

Texts: Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15: 42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19: 38; Is. 53:9

Once upon a time:(introduction )

A Tomb slightly used

Abstract: (Summary)

The empty tomb is the signature event and visual point of reference for the distinctiveness of Christianity; it sets our relationship with God through Jesus Christ apart from other religious expressions because it connects our faith in a sinless Savior to a miraculous, truly supernatural event— a resurrection of God incarnate.

Jesus, early in his ministry had predicted it,

He reminded his disciples of its necessity,

the Apostle Peter punctuated the formation of the church with it,

and Paul defended it as the vital and necessary connection to our hope of eternal life. 

The Big Thing!

So much work for so little in return—

I’m intrigued by the power of death to bring about life— Not just anyone’s death— but Jesus’ death… This man, Joseph of Arimathea, occupied a prominent seat on the council that sought to deprive Jesus of his Divinity and ultimately to deprive Him of his life. But the overwhelming impact of His The Savior’s life and Gospel had slowly moved him to belief. The crucifixion proved his tipping point and asking for the body of Jesus, his public testimony that his life had changed— so in giving up “his tomb”, literally of his own making, he fulfilled the prophecies of God, and realized again the power of the cross—

— He surrenders a future made with human hands for a future beyond the grave— a future made possible only through the resurrection of the One whose life could never be held captive by the tomb. 

What I need to know

The tenuous path toward belief

He was wealthy and a prominent member of the ruling council, and shared a birthplace with the prophet Samuel I Sam. 1: 1;  

He was a disciple of Jesus and “waiting for the Kingdom of God” As such he is ascribed by the same language that Luke described Simeon and Anna. Luke 2: 25-38;

He was a “good and righteous man” who had not consented to the plan of the council to kill Jesus

The tomb was his own, and quite possibly he was responsible for the demolition and hewing out the rock himself. Crafting a tomb is painstakingly slow, and requires a certain attention to detail.

I’m intrigued by the Gospel writer Mark’s comment that following the death of Jesus, “ he gathered up the courage to ask for the body of Jesus”— that tipping point I alluded to— his belief in Jesus as the Son of God and his testimony confirming it. I love the comment by Alfred Edersheim,

So does trial elicit faith and the wind which quenches the feeble flame that plays around the outside fan into brightness the fire that burns deep within. (Edersheim, pg. 898)

Lastly, apparently he (Joseph), sealed the tomb himself after the body of Jesus was placed inside. 

What I need to do/ change/ or act upon: (Applications)

Think of it… For many people the grave is the final stop— for all their work, hewing out their own resting place all of their lives— their hope lies decaying in the ground— “Rest well”, they say… RIP

For others, they have presumptuously assured themselves that despite their unbelief, there destination, if not their “angelic wings” are assured, as if… some benign being is obligated to grant them access to Heaven.

And for some— a destiny of annihilation— a hopelessness of no rest, no existence, only death and Nothingness. 

But— This Cantata has shown you something else, something much more at stake for you because of the Life, Death, and Resurrection of our Savior— there is a future to be enjoyed, a Savior you must meet, and a God who can be yours.

Close

Therefore, in giving up the life of our own making, we fulfill the blessings of Scripture (John 1:12),

and exchange our own sinful life and its lifeless destiny, (Romans 6:23; 5:8) for a future beyond the grave,

made possible only through the resurrection of the One whose life could never be held captive by the tomb. (John 11: 25-26)

MJC