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.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Scripture:-

⁴⁵ From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. ⁴⁶ About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”). ⁴⁷ When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.” ⁴⁸ Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. ⁴⁹ The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” ⁵⁰ And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.

Observation:-

As Jesus hung on the cross, the heavens suddenly darkened at noon and Mount Golgotha remained in darkness for three hours. About three in the afternoon, the Lord suddenly cried out in a loud voice “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

Those standing there thought he was calling Elijah, and one of them immediately ran and got a sponge, filled it with vinegar and offered it to Jesus on the cross. The rest, though alarmed at the change in the elements above, still admonished the man to leave Jesus and see if Elijah really came to see Him. But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice and gave up His spirit.

Application:-

What was the significance of the eclipse that brought this darkness? Why did Jesus cry out that way to God?  The darkness in the skies mirrored the darkness of the sins of the world piled onto Jesus, and at that moment, God the Father who detests sin could not help but turn His face away from His beloved Son, causing the grieved Lord to cry out in great grief to His Father who had always been with Him even before the beginning of Creation.

Why did the people think Jesus was calling Elijah? Eli means “My God”, and the crowd standing by could have misinterpreted Jesus calling “Elijah” instead of Eli. Due to the torture of the cross, the Lord’s cry may not have been clear. The crowd could also have been fearful of the darkness and wondered if the day of the Lord had come, and since Scripture prophesied that Elijah would come first, they might have been expecting Elijah.

As we meditate on this passage, we are touched yet again by the great sacrifice of the Lord in bearing the sins of the world. He who was sinless was made sin that we might receive forgiveness. How terrible it was for the Lord to experience that moment when the Father turned away. How deep that sacrifice, even deeper than the physical pain of Jesus body. May we always appreciate the great and wonderful thing the Lord did for us that we might be saved.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, we praise You and thank You for You saved us with such great sacrifice. To have the Father turn away from You, to have You who are sinless made sin. We cannot comprehend the depth and pain of Your sacrifice. We can only thank You and serve You for the great thing You did for us. Forgive our sins, and heal us we pray. Let the vision of the cross ever be before us. Let us never forget the great sacrifice You gave for us. May Your name be praised forever, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Rivalry and Favoritism

Rivalry and Favoritism

Last Saturday, we were privileged at SIB to have brother Fergus Ong give his debut sermon. With the theme of the month being focused on the family, brother Fergus shared a deep message on family values based on a review of the family lives of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Basically, there were two main themes running through these families that caused all sorts of conflicts and problems, namely Rivalry and Favoritism. In Abraham’s family, there was early rivalry between Sarah and Hagar before Isaac was born and later Isaac and Ishmael who taunted his younger brother. This led to Sarah forcing Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away. In Isaac’s family, the rivalry was even more pronounced with the twins Jacob and Esau. Even from the womb, Jacob grasped at the heel of Esau indicating his desire to come out first. In coming out second, it was akin to starting a cup final already one goal down. Esau, as firstborn, already by birth had all the privileges both materially and spiritually, especially in the society of the day. As Jacob and Esau grew, they went very different paths, but their rivalry was still very apparent. Esau was a man of the outdoors, a strong hunter, while Jacob stayed behind in the tents. Esau was impulsive and proud, but Jacob was reflective and a thinker. We learn here how rivalry in the family need not necessarily occur in the same field, but from different areas.

From young, intelligent Jacob already understood and desired the privileges of birthright while thoughtless Esau thought nothing of it, even despising it. When the moment of opportunity came, when Esau came in famished and desired the soup Jacob was cooking, Jacob asked Esau for his birthright and he foolishly traded it for a bowl of soup.

At the same time of this rivalry between the brothers, their parents made it even worse by Favoritism. Isaac who had a taste for wild game quickly favored Esau the hunter, while Rebekah favored Jacob the younger who spent more time with her in the tents. As Isaac aged and his eyesight became poor, he felt that he would not live for much longer and sought to give his final blessing to his firstborn Esau. Knowing this, Rebekah quickly plotted to have Jacob put on goatskins on his arms so that he would appear hairy like Esau and go to Isaac with his favorite meal. Isaac faithfully got conned that day and gave the firstborn’s blessing to Jacob instead of Esau. Esau was furious and planned for the day when he could take revenge on Jacob.

Knowing this, Rebekah quickly sent Jacob away to her brother Laban until Esau’s anger subsided. In Laban’s home, the twin problems of rivalry and favoritism occurred all over again. Jacob the deceiver ended up being deceived by Uncle Laban into marrying Leah as well as his desired Rachel, and having to work another 7 years for Laban. In that time, Jacob plotted and rivaled with Laban over the flocks put under his care.

Later, Rivalry grew between the two sisters, Rachel and Leah, with Jacob clearly favoring Rachel. The rivalry extended to each giving their maidservants to Jacob to have more children through them. Later, Jacob continued this trend of favoritism by favoring Joseph among all his brothers.

What was the result of all the Rivalry and Favoritism? Family strife, politicking and scheming, betrayal and pain. How different indeed is God’s plan for the family unit. For husbands to love their wives, for children to obey their parents, for brothers and sisters to live together in unity. The main lesson for us from this story is that we must guard against rivalry and favoritism but instead foster unity and love. Parents must guard even against perceived favoritism and always be alert to hear what their children have to say. As far as possible, we must not let children grow up with harbored hurt or perceived injustice on our part. In the rivalry between children, we must take the effort to point them towards a common goal, that there need not be a winner and a loser between them, but they can be both winners and excel and support each other to be the best that each can be.

 

Simon of Cyrene

Simon of Cyrene

Scripture:-

³² As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. ³³ They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”).³⁴ There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. ³⁵ When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. ³⁶ And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. ³⁷ Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is jesus, the king of the jews.

³⁸ Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. ³⁹ Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” ⁴¹ In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. ⁴² “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. ⁴³ He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’”⁴⁴ In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

Observation:

After the torture session, the Lord is too weak to carry the cross, and along the way, they grab a man called Simon from Cyrene and make him carry Jesus’ cross. At the place called Golgotha, meaning the skull, they mixed wine with gall and let Jesus drink it to dull the pain. The Lord after tasting it refuses, and they proceed to drive in the nails into Jesus’ hands and feet. All who pass by hurl insults at Jesus, including the chief priests, the elders and the teachers of the law. Even the two thieves being crucified with Jesus insulted him, although one later repented and defended Jesus as written in other gospels. The primary insults against Jesus was that He saved others and could not save Himself and that He could rescue Himself or have God rescue Him if He really was the Son of God. No one understood that this was all part of God’s plan for humanity’s redemption, and Jesus was there wholly voluntarily.

Application:

Consider Simon of Cyrene. At that time, he could have counted ill luck in being picked on to carry the heavy cross. The blood of Jesus would have got all over him. The mocking and spitting from the people would also land upon him. After coming so far to worship at the Passover, here he was, becoming ceremonially unclean and being forced labor for the crucifixion of some notorious criminal. Finally at Golgotha, Simon was able to let go of the great burden, full of sweat, blood and pain from the weight. What happened to Simon after this? Did he leave Jerusalem in disgust? Did he stay and watch what happened to Jesus? Did he find out more about why Jesus was being crucified? Scripture does not tell us these details here.

However, later in Acts 13:1, Luke gives a list of leaders of Antioch who send Paul and Barnabas out on the first mission to the Gentiles. In that list is Simon called Niger and Lucius of Cyrene. Niger means Black, so it literally means Simon called Black and Lucius of Cyrene. So the Simon here was from Cyrene, and should quite literally be the same Simon of Cyrene that carried Jesus cross! The fact that he was dark also lends credence to the way the soldiers singled him out among others for the unpleasant task of carrying Jesus’ cross. Also, the reason Matthew recorded his name at all was probably because the church knew who Simon of Cyrene was.

So Simon of Cyrene later would realize that what seemed like incredible misfortune was actually the greatest privilege. Who else had the opportunity of carrying the cross for the Lord, upon which He would bring salvation for not only Simon of Cyrene but everyone who would believe in Jesus.

The lesson for us is that although we might face troubles or great inconveniences, we should bear it humbly and graciously. Unknown to us, it might actually be a great privilege.

Prayer:

We praise thee and worship thee O Lord for the marvelous things You have done. We thank You for the lesson of Simon of Cyrene which teaches us how we should bear hardship and trouble humbly and graciously, for behind the scenes even that could be a great privilege to us. Help us and teach us Lord, even as we seek Your face. In Jesus name, Amen.

He bore our shame

He bore our shame

Scripture:

²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

Observation:

After Pilate sentences Jesus under pressure from the crowd, the soldiers bring him to the Praetorium where they cruelly mock and torture him in the midst of their whole company. They dress him up with a scarlet robe, and set a crown of thorns on his head, even putting a “ruler’s staff” in his hand. Laughing, they kneel in front of him and hail him as the King of the Jews. Then they spit on him and strike Jesus on the head again and again with the staff. Finally, they put back his own clothes on him and lead Jesus away to crucify him.

Application:

What provokes this kind of cruel and animalistic behavior in men? We love especially to see the great and mighty fall. We laugh sarcastically when we hear of the failures of great leaders. We joke and make fun. Superficially, in putting other people down, we are trying to feel better about ourselves, to forget for the moment our own weaknesses and shortcomings. In a way, to many, it is a form of revenge for the times when we ourselves have been ridiculed and made fun of. Ultimately though, even if we have a short moment of entertainment, the reality sets back in quickly, the emptiness and meaninglessness of life.

The Lord Jesus came to suffer not only for our sin, but also for our shame. In being mocked and ridiculed so severely, He was bearing silently the shame of the world. Who has been shamed? Jesus has been shamed too. We think God doesn’t understand? No!, He himself felt the sting of shame and ridicule. He bore it silently, and graciously, without a word of complaint. If they only knew who He was….. that it was the true Son of God they were trampling under their feet, who could end their lives in the blink of an eye, and condemn them at any moment to an eternity in flames.

Prayer:

We thank You and praise You Lord, that You not only suffered and died for us, but You also bore our shame. No matter what ridicule or insults we face, You faced far worse. Even where others persecute us, let us learn to respond as you did, with great patience and love, not dealing with them as their sins deserve. May Your name be praised forever O Lord. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.