Matthew 27:57-61 Mark 15:42-47 Luke 23:52-56 John 19:31-42

Matthew 27:57-61 57 When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. 59 And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the entrance of the tomb and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the grave.

Mark 15:42-47 42 When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate wondered if He was dead by this time, and summoning the centurion, he questioned him as to whether He was already dead. 45 And ascertaining this from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph bought a linen cloth, took Him down, wrapped Him in the linen cloth and laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out in the rock; and he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were looking on to see where He was laid.

Luke 23:50-56 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.

John 19:31-42 31 Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 So the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36 For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture, “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” 37 And again another Scripture says, “THEY SHALL LOOK ON HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” 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.

Since Jesus was crucified 

Since Jesus was crucified on the day before a mandatory sabbath rest, it was important for the Jews to make sure the crucifixion was complete, and the bodies removed by the time the sun set.  These details are important to demonstrate why there was the rush to finish the crucifixion and to demonstrate that Jesus had truly died.  In order for there to be a resurrection, there must be a death.  This was clearly proven by the events that take place on and around the cross.

THE DEATH OF JESUS IS VERIFIED: The Jewish leaders requested that the legs of the men who were crucified be broken so their deaths would come faster.  Those who are crucified die of affixation.  In order to be able to breathe, the must push up with their legs.  When the legs were broken, they were no longer able to do this and would essentially stop being able to breathe.  The legs of the two thieves were broken so they would die.  However, when they came to break the legs of Jesus, they found He was already dead.  The verified that he was dead by piercing His body with a spear.  When then did this, blood and water flowed out of His side which was further proof that He had died.  Not breaking a bone and piercing His side, were two prophecies made about Messiah.  Jesus fulfilled every one of these prophesies.  His death bought our forgiveness and His death was sure. 

THE BODY OF JESUS IS REQUESTED: Joseph of Arimathea and Nikodemus, the Pharisee who came to Jesus by night, take it upon themselves to bury the body of Jesus.  Joseph seems to be a wealth man who had a tomb carved out as a family burring place decides to place the body of Jesus in this tomb.  Nikodemus sees to have been genuinely “born again” as he now has the courage to clearly identify himself as a follower of Jesus.  These men show great courage as well as love for the Lord as they risk their lives to care for the body of Jesus.  At the request of the body, Pilate is amazed that Jesus is already dead.  I wonder if Pilate, in the back of his mind, expected some sort of miracle from Jesus that would have saved His life.  Pilate asks for verification of the death of Jesus and upon receiving it, grants that Joseph be given the rights to care for His body.  Acts of love and courage are important testimonies in our lives.  We will all face times where identifying ourselves with Christ and demonstrating love for the Lord will put us at risk.  We must demonstrate courage during these times.  

THE BURIAL OF JESUS IS TESTIFIED: Joseph and Nikodemus did not do this job in secret.  There were other people who testified the burial of Jesus.  Women watched as they wrapped His body and Nikodemus brought spices and they placed Him in the tomb.  The women went back home to rest on the Sabbath and then would prepare spices to place on His body on Sunday.  They wanted to see where His body was so they could further care for it.  In so doing, they her testimonies to His burial.  The more people who see Him buried, the more authority we have to demonstrate the truth of the resurrection.  God has all these things under control and has gone to great extremes to redeem humanity.  May we respond to His care and grace.

APPLICATION: Be assured that the death of Christ was real and that it paid the price for your sins and the sins of the world.  The Romans were experts at killing people, and they did their job, however Jesus gave His own life and the Father took it so that we could have eternal life.  In moments of danger and distress, God would have us respond with courage and love.  Don’t allow the fear of men to rob us of the joy of loving God.