March 28, 2024

Matthew 27:57-66 (HCSB)
The Burial of Jesus
57 When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph came, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. Then Pilate ordered that it be released. 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in clean, fine linen, 60 and placed it in his new tomb, which he had cut into the rock. He left after rolling a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were seated there, facing the tomb. The Closely Guarded Tomb 62 The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.” 65 “You have a guard of soldiers,” Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” 66 Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.

Patrick Raley
Joseph of Arimathea couldn’t just let the body of his Lord decay on the cross. He was a member of the Sanhedrin, but Luke’s account specifically states he “had not agreed with this plan”. We know he was a wealthy man, but it still would have been a sacrifice for him to give up his personal land and wrap him in fine linens. Also, this was a new tomb. There had never been, nor was there anyone else buried there. There would be no question who it would be once He would rise from the dead. And where were the disciples during this time? They certainly weren’t there to care for their Lord. Isn’t it a little ironic that the Pharisees remembered Jesus said He would rise after three days, but the disciples seemed to have forgotten? Do you think the Jewish leaders and Roman leaders might have wondered what IF Jesus might rise? They deployed all measures possible to ensure He remained in the tomb.