JESUS WAS BURIED
Luke 23:50–56 (NKJV)
50 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man. 51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before. 54 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.
55 And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.
56 Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils. And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.
In recent months new discoveries surrounding the Shroud of Turin has sparked renewed debates about the death and burial of Jesus. But this is nothing new. When Jesus was crucified and buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, the Pharisees feared Jesus would rise from the dead so they convinced Pontius Pilate to post a Roman Unit in front of the tomb. When Jesus rose from the dead the Pharisees paid the Romans to spread rumors about the death of Jesus and the disappearance of His body. Stories ranged from his body was stolen by his disciples to Jesus really didn’t die, he was exhausted and regained consciousness in the tomb. The truth is, Jesus died. When His body was pierced through with a spear blood and water came out. That means the heart stopped beating and the red blood cells had separated from the plasma. That is a sure sign of death. The fact that his body was prepared for burial was an indication that he died. If he was faking it, the people preparing him for burial would have recognized it. There has never been a question by those who were with Him that He did not die.
Why is this important? Because without a death, there is no resurrection. Without a tomb, there is no stone to roll away. Without a burial, there is no scandal when a body disappears. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the fact that Jesus died and was buried. But wait… there’s more coming!
Let’s pray… Jesus, I thank you for dying on the cross for me. Without your death, my sins cannot be forgiven. Without your death, there can be no resurrection and if there is no resurrection then there is no hope for me to be raised to new life after I die. But you did die and because you died, I can life forever. Thanks you. Amen.
Holland Davis, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel San Clemente
