Go make the tomb secure

Go make the tomb secure

Scripture:

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ⁶³ “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ⁶⁴ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

⁶⁵ “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Observation:

Just the next day after Jesus’ death, the chief priest and Pharisees quickly go to Pilate to ask the governor to secure the tomb, fearing that his disciples would come and steal the body and tell people Jesus had raised from the dead. This was because they remembered Jesus declaring how he would rise again after 3 days. Still thinking Jesus was a deceiver, they were worried that the last deception of his resurrection would be even worse.

Pilate agreed to their request and allowed them to take a guard to secure the tomb. Quickly, they posted guards at the tomb and put a seal on the stone. How feeble indeed were their attempts in the face of the might and power of God!

What was the mindset of the chief priests and Pharisees after the event? Jesus’ disciples had scattered and full of fear. In the chief priests and Pharisee’s minds though was that chilling prophecy by Jesus that He would rise again in 3 days. Apparently, they understood that the sign of Jonah that Jesus spoke of referred to Him rising again after 3 days. When Jesus died, the signs of the torn curtain, the earthquake and breaking open of tombs would not have been lost on the chief priests. The general atmosphere among them could have been one of apprehension, and some were perhaps wondering if they had really crucified the Son of God. Against this backdrop, they decided to make doubly sure such a thing would not happen by asking for guards to be placed at the tomb.                                

Application:

Praise God that Jesus is alive! No elite guard or Pharisee or teacher of the law could put a lid on Jesus. Even after all the events at the cross, the stubborn Pharisees still did not believe, and even thought they could foil Jesus’ plan by lobbying Pilate to give them guards to watch the Lord’s body!  

The Word of God in us is like that. It is living and active, bubbling and preparing to burst forth. Others might try to put a lid on it. Authorities may try to stamp it out by violence or other means, but no one can stop God’s Word from spreading. Under tremendous persecution, the church grows, as can be seen in Early Rome, and even in China in recent years. When we receive the Lord into our hearts and allow Him to quicken us, the new man in us also comes to life, bubbling over and ready to testify of God’s goodness and love in Jesus Christ.

Prayer:

We praise You and thank You, Lord Jesus, that despite all men’s evil intentions, they could not keep you down. With great power, You raised again from the dead, bringing life to all who believe in You. Let that resurrection life also flow through me O Lord, bringing life like a river to those whom You call me to. Let my faith ever grow and blossom in YoU O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

He asked for Jesus’ body

He asked for Jesus’ body

Scripture:

⁵⁷ As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. ⁵⁸ Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. ⁵⁹ Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, ⁶⁰ and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. ⁶¹ Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

Observation:

After the Lord’s death, Joseph of Arimathea took the initiative to ask Pilate for Jesus’ body and after wrapping it with clean linen cloth, placed it in his own new tomb he had cut out of the rock. Then he had a big stone rolled in front of the entrance and went away. Mentioned in all the four gospels, Joseph here is described as a rich man, a member of the Sanhedrin, and a secret disciple of Jesus. The reference to Joseph’s wealth could have been Matthew’s intention to link this even to Isaiah 53, where the prophecy speaks of Jesus being assigned a grave with the rich in his death. The tomb was certainly prepared for the rich man Joseph himself, and in those days, only someone rich could arrange to have such a tomb hewn out of the rock for himself. In ensuring Jesus got a proper burial, and even availing his own tomb to Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea showed his reverence and love for the Lord. We also see in this passage, the great faithfulness of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who sat opposite the tomb grieving for Jesus.

Application:-

In offering his own tomb for Jesus’ burial, Joseph of Arimathea was indicating that he was willing to die in the same place as Jesus. These type of tombs would usually be used by Joseph and his close family members upon their demise. From a spiritual point of view, when we are baptized into Jesus, we are also baptized into his death. We also take our place with Him in the tomb, where our old man remains. At the same time, we are resurrected with Him to new life, symbolized from our emergence from the water. In beholding this incident, we are reminded of Paul’s words, that the new has come and the old has gone.

From another perspective, consider how It was a brand new tomb. Joseph must have been very satisfied when it was finished, sure it would provide the resting place for he and his close family in time to come. However, once the Lord was crucified, Joseph realized that the tomb had to be given up for an even more noble purpose, to be used by the Lord, and He was ready to make that sacrifice. For many of us too, we may have been building up something for years when suddenly we are called to give it up for the Lord, for some noble purpose. We need to be ready to let go, to remember that all that we have belongs to the Lord anyway and be willing to let Him use it for His greater purposes.

One more point has to do with the risk Joseph of Arimathea took. He was a prominent member of the Sanhedrin. His peers would look with disdain at how he took great trouble to provide his tomb for the Lord, treating Him with honor. After all, Jesus had been their number one enemy. It is written that Joseph went boldly to Pilate to request for Jesus’ body. He risked the ill favor of the High Priest and his fellow Council members, but this was the time that he had to do what he had to do. We too, when called, need to be able to stand up and take that risk for the Lord.

Prayer:

Let us remember dear Lord, that when You died and were buried, our old man, our old selves also died and were buried with You. We praise You, too, Lord, that when You rose, we too rise with You to new life. We thank You, Lord, for the example of Joseph of Arimathea, who risked much to honor You in his hour of destiny. He took the step to come forward and honor You by giving up his own brand new tomb he had worked hard to prepare for himself. Help us too be willing to let go and surrender our work to You when You call us to. All things belong to You O Lord. Help us not become attached to the  temporal things in life. Let us not be driven by fear of men, but help us walk in boldness and humility in Your ways. In Jesus name, Amen.

                                                                                                                                                                 

  

The curtains, the earthquakes and the resurrections

The curtains, the earthquakes and the resurrections

Scripture:

⁵¹ At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split ⁵² and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. ⁵³ They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.

⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

⁵⁵ Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. ⁵⁶ Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph, and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

Observation:

The moment Jesus died, several powerful events occurred consecutively. Firstly, the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. Secondly, there was a great earthquake. Thirdly, as a result of the earthquake, tombs were opened and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. When the Roman centurion and all his soldiers saw all that happened they were terrified and exclaimed “Surely he was the Son of God!” Watching from a distance were also many women, among them, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the Lord’s mother, and also the mother of James and John.

What was the significance of these events? The tearing of the curtain symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and man through Jesus Christ, who has enabled all who believe in Him to come into the Holy of Holies and meet God by virtue of the blood of Christ. We have direct access to God the Father, able to pray to Him and have Him hear our prayers. We don’t need any priests or human intermediaries, for Jesus Christ has made clear the way to the Father.

The incidence of the earthquake is often interpreted as a sign of judgment. While the death of Jesus Christ has opened the door to the path of salvation in His name to all who will believe, His death also means that all who do not accept Him will also be eternally condemned.

As for the third sign of the resurrection of many holy people who had died, it is clearly symbolic of the promise of resurrection of all believers who will rise again at the second coming of Jesus to eternal life with the Master.

Matthew’s note on the women who followed Jesus reminds us of the great faithfulness, courage and loyalty of women, who fared far better than the disciples who shied away in fear at the arrest and crucifixion of Jesus.

Application:

Thank God that He has made the way clear for us to come to God the Father. The way has been made clear at great cost, paid dearly by the blood of our Lord Jesus. We must never take for granted but greatly value this privilege of coming to the Father and we must do so in humility and gratitude.

In beholding the death of the Lord, we must also in all clarity understand that the gospel is a two edge sword, bringing death to those who do not believe, and life to those who will believe. Likewise, in remembering the resurrection of the saints from the dead, we look forward to our own resurrection in Christ Jesus, be it after our earthly deaths or even while we stand on the earth as the Lord has promised.

Prayer:

We thank You and praise You, Lord Jesus, for what Your great sacrifice on the cross for us has done. We have clear access now to God the Father. We are able to come to Him by Your precious blood. We are now able to commune and have reverent fellowship with our Heavenly Father.

We thank You too, O Lord, for the promise of the Resurrection, that all of us might have hope, even beyond death. Let this hope always remain strong in our hearts, even as we look forward to Your second coming. Keep us strong, and faithful we pray. You hold all things in Your hands. Blessed be Your holy name. In Jesus name, Amen.