The Burial of Christ

 

Easter Story Continued JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA MATTHEW 27:57 When evening had come, the disciples watched over the body of Jesus while a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up for burial. PLACED IN A NEW TOMB As the sun set on Friday, the disciples laid the body of Jesus in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. THE PIETA As the prophet Simeon had predicted to the young mother Mary with her infant son 33 years earlier: LUKE 2:34-35 “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.”  I LAY DOWN MY LIFE JOHN 10:14-18 Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I lay down my life for the sheep. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again." THE CITY IS DISTURBED As the sun set, the Passover Sabbath had begun, and all was quiet. But the city of Jerusalem was disturbed by the things that had happened this day. SOLDIERS GUARD THE TOMB The Jewish leaders demanded that Pilate set a guard around the tomb, because Jesus had predicted he would rise from the dead, and they didn't want the disciples of Jesus to stage a fake resurrection. So the tomb was sealed and Roman guards stood around it.