THE BURIAL OF CHRIST

JOHN 19:38–42

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

(John 19:40).

The burial of Jesus was a necessary part of His humiliation. By it, He sanctified the grave for His followers. It would no longer be a fearful place, but a place of victory for all who believe in the One who conquered sin and death.

Let us look at the significant elements of Christ’s burial—its actors and its setting. The chief actors were Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. These men, who once were fearful of the Sanhedrin, now step forward despite any risk to themselves and bury Jesus with honor and dignity, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Isaiah 53:9 that He would be buried with the rich. Joseph is not mentioned anywhere else in the New Testament, but his actions are recorded in all four accounts of Jesus’ burial. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, and was a secret disciple of Jesus for fear of the chief priests. However great that fear might have been, it is apparent that he put it aside to give Jesus the honor due Him. This is more a testimony to God than man, for God can raise up even the most fearful to carry out courageous plans. Nicodemus, likewise, was a secret disciple who comes out of hiding to cover the body of Jesus with rich spices and oil.

The tomb that Jesus was buried in was not a natural cave, but had been hewn out of a solid cliff or rock (thus adding to the expense). It had never been used and, therefore, was not defiled by any previous decomposition. Matthew Henry wrote, “This was for the honor of Christ. He was not a common person, and therefore must not mix with common dust. He that was born from a virgin-womb must rise from a virgin-tomb.” The new tomb also added confirmation to the resurrection, that it was Jesus who rose from the dead and not some other. And so the tomb was sealed by a heavy stone, awaiting that day when He would rise again.

Quietly and without pomp and parade, Jesus was laid in the cold, silent tomb. “Here is the Sun of righteousness set for awhile, to rise again in great glory, and set no more,” Henry wrote. “Here lies a seeming captive to death, but a real conqueror over death; for there lies death itself slain, and the grave conquered. Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory.”

CORAM DEO

Jeremiah 38–39

Hebrews 1

Notice that Jesus was buried in a garden. What other events in the Bible took place in a garden? Where did Adam and Eve commit their fatal sin? Death came in a garden, and Jesus conquered death in a garden. Pray to God as Jesus did in the garden, thanking Him for His sacrifice and for giving you victory over the grave.

For further study: Matt. 27:57–61 • Mark 15:42–47 • Luke 23:50–56

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