When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. Matthew 27: 59, 60, NKJV
Holy Father, blessed be Your name! Lead us into all truth we pray, in Jesus’ name; Amen
The Sabbath has dawned. Jesus is sleeping peacefully in Joseph’s new tomb. His body has been anointed with a mixture of myrrh and aloes, and wrapped in clean linen (John 19: 38-40). This is a “high” Sabbath in Jerusalem. Many of the Jews scattered abroad have come home for the celebration. The chief priests and rulers were relieved that Jesus had expired so soon, that they could take His body down from the cross, so as not to “violate” the sanctity of the Sabbath! Yet, on the Sabbath, they will go to Pilate, to have him put a seal upon the tomb, to ensure that the disciples do not steal the body of Jesus (Matthew 27: 62-65). Have mercy! They had broken the legs of the two thieves to hasten their death (Crucifixion was a shameful, long, painful, manner of death). Without the religious rulers realizing it, Scripture was being fulfilled. As the Passover Lamb, none of His bones were to be broken, and His body was not to be “left over” (in this case, left hanging on the cross) until the following day (Exodus 12: 3, 8, 10; Numbers 9: 12).
After all the humiliation and suffering had passed, thanks to the kindness of Joseph of Arimathea, and Nicodemus, Jesus was given a burial “fit for a king” that He is. And Scripture continued to be fulfilled, “And they made His grave with the wicked-But with the rich at His death, because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth” (Isaiah 53: 9). Crucified between two thieves (“the wicked”); anointed with about one hundred pounds of a mixture of myrrh and aloes, and buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea (“the rich”). Joseph had had this tomb hewn in the rock for his own burial, but the tomb being near to Jerusalem, and the need of a hasty burial, had allowed for its use.
Some four thousand years ago, Father and Son had rested after the work of creation was completed (Genesis 2: 2; John 1: 1-3). Now the Son rests peacefully, at the conclusion of the work of redemption. Even before He died Christ saw “the labor of His soul, and [was] satisfied” (Isaiah 53: 11), as the thief at His side recognized Him for who He was, ” ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ ” And Jesus said to him, ” ‘Assuredly I say to you, today, you will be with Me in Paradise’ ” (Luke 23: 42). Even though Jesus did not go to Paradise that day (John 20: 17), we know that the promise will be fulfilled; for, “God is not a man that He should lie” (Numbers 23: 19). Incorrect punctuation renders the meaning incorrect.
A star had announced His birth. Now the sun hid its face at His death. For approximately three hours, the earth was wrapped in darkness as it convulsed with a mighty earthquake, and stones are broken up (Matthew 27: 51). All nature seemed to be mourning the death of its Creator. In the darkness, the Father stood beside His Son (The Desire of Ages, p. 665), but the Son was not aware of it . He had cried out in unutterable anguish, ” ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is, ” ‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27: 46). He had suffered for the entire world, what every unrepentant sinner will suffer at last: eternal separation from God. As the sins of the world that was laid upon Christ, hid His Father’s face from His view, it seemed an eternity, and broke His heart. “He who knew no sin” became sin in order to save us (2 Corinthians 5: 21).
Oh what love! Oh what amazing, incomprehensible, love! That the Prince of Heaven should take my place, with no guarantee that I would respond to that love is beyond my scope of knowledge. My mind does not understand it, but with my whole heart I accept it! Thank You Jesus, for being willing to go the last mile!
At the setting of the sun on Friday, the trumpet had sounded announcing the beginning of the Sabbath. The people hurried to the temple for “[service] as usual.” But things would never be the same! The glory of the temple had departed. The most holy place, once hidden from human gaze was now open to the view of all. The ceremonial law had come to an end. The One to whom the rituals had pointed lay dead in the tomb…but glory be to God, not for long!