Tonight’s Scripture

Psalm 22         Matthew 26:47-60      

 

Mark 15:42-47  It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

 

            Both Matthew and Mark record Jesus’ burial much the same.  Mark includes the ladies watching in the shadows.  The apostle John includes that Nicodemus (who came to Jesus at night) accompanied Joseph of Arimathea.  None of them were in any way unlike you or I are at the death of a loved one.  Yes, this was sudden and unexpected as Jesus was not ill.  The events leading up to the betrayal, sentencing and crucifixion raced by so quickly that it was almost impossible to keep up with all that had just occurred in the last twenty-four hours.  The disciples were now eleven as Judas was no longer.  And those eleven are no where to be seen at this moment. 

 

            Just a short time ago Jesus had raised his good friend Lazarus back to life.  This had the entire region in amazement and trust in him.  The Palm Sunday victory celebration was just five days earlier and Jesus kept busy with all of them throughout the week.  Now they are placing Jesus’ lifeless body hurriedly in a tomb.  All of the expectations and hopes are now gone.  Who is going to pick up the pieces?  What is going to become of the disciples and any of the rest of us?  God has certainly deserted us.

 

            God tests our faith.  As we read through Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons, and now are reading through Moses and the Israelites, we see how God continually tested the faith of each one of them.  He did this not to see how strong they were, but to strengthen each one in that faith as he delivered each one in different ways and in different times.  Each time one thought he was done for, God delivered again.  Each time God did it in a different way.  Each time his people learned to trust him more and more.

 

            Here we are at the grave.  Everything seems done and over.  God is testing again.  God is going to deliver again.  This time the promise has been since the fall in Eden.  This time the hopes are built up as high as they can be built up, and then dashed as low as they can be dashed.  Let us come back early Sunday morning and rejoice in the greatest miracle up to this time, where faith is not just restored, but strengthened.  Remember Jesus’ words, “No one can snatch them out of my hand.”  Remember Jesus’ words, “I and the father are one.”  Remember Jesus’ words, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”  Remember Jesus’ words, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise,” [Mark 9:31).  Remember Jesus words, “and if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back to take you to be where I am.”  Remember Jesus words, “I am with you even unto the end of the age.”  Remember Jesus words, “Be faithful even to the point of death and I will give you the crown of life.” 

 

            Yes, come back Sunday morning to hear those words, "Don't be alarmed.  You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him,” [Mark 16:6].