Mark 15:43-47 "Joseph of Arimathaea, an
honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went
in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. (44) And
Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion,
he asked him whether he had been any while dead. (45) And when he
knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. (46) And he
bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid
him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the
door of the sepulchre. (47) And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother
of Joses beheld where he was laid."
After the death of Jesus, there arose many different accounts, opinions, and yes lies concerning Jesus. The Pharisees and elders wanted to believe they had finally gotten rid of Jesus. They wanted to believe that when they "rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre" that Jesus was no longer a threat to them. I'm getting ahead of myself now to talk of the resurrection, but it's important for us to notice various aspects of the death and burial of Jesus.
First, I go back to the previous devotion. The centurion made a declarative statement: "Truly this WAS the Son of God." I highlight the word, was, because he was denoting the fact that Jesus had died. In his mind, Jesus WAS the Son of God, as in past tense. We know and understand that the proper way to state that fact would be, "Truly, this IS the Son of God." But in his mind, and the fact of the matter was Jesus took his final breath on the cross. Then as Pilate wanted to be certain of the death of Jesus, he called the same centurion into his court. 'Is that Jesus dead? Yes Pilate, I saw Him die. I affirm that He is dead.' I assure you that this centurion would not have dared to tell something false to Pilate. He would have been the next one on a cross if he had lied to Pilate.
Next, one of the things said to try to refute the resurrection of Jesus was told that the women went to the wrong tomb on that first day of the week. Notice verse 47. "And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." I assure you these women, knowing they were going to come on Sunday morning to anoint the body of Jesus, took great notice as to which tomb where Jesus' body was laid? There is no way they went to the wrong tomb on that morning as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.
Why is it important for us to understand this and hold it as truth in our hearts? If Jesus had not died, if all we hold as being true is not true, then we are still dead in our sins. There is nothing for us after this life. But I say to you, in agreement with all the witnesses of His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ laid down His life on that old rugged cross. He came to save His people from our sins. He came to finish the work of redemption that was covenanted before the foundation of the world. He could not have declared, "It is finished," if He had not completely fulfilled the work He came to do. If He did not raise from that tomb, then the work is incomplete and we have no hope.
(1 Peter 1:3-5) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
He's alive, He's alive,
He's alive and I'm forgiven,
After the death of Jesus, there arose many different accounts, opinions, and yes lies concerning Jesus. The Pharisees and elders wanted to believe they had finally gotten rid of Jesus. They wanted to believe that when they "rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre" that Jesus was no longer a threat to them. I'm getting ahead of myself now to talk of the resurrection, but it's important for us to notice various aspects of the death and burial of Jesus.
First, I go back to the previous devotion. The centurion made a declarative statement: "Truly this WAS the Son of God." I highlight the word, was, because he was denoting the fact that Jesus had died. In his mind, Jesus WAS the Son of God, as in past tense. We know and understand that the proper way to state that fact would be, "Truly, this IS the Son of God." But in his mind, and the fact of the matter was Jesus took his final breath on the cross. Then as Pilate wanted to be certain of the death of Jesus, he called the same centurion into his court. 'Is that Jesus dead? Yes Pilate, I saw Him die. I affirm that He is dead.' I assure you that this centurion would not have dared to tell something false to Pilate. He would have been the next one on a cross if he had lied to Pilate.
Next, one of the things said to try to refute the resurrection of Jesus was told that the women went to the wrong tomb on that first day of the week. Notice verse 47. "And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid." I assure you these women, knowing they were going to come on Sunday morning to anoint the body of Jesus, took great notice as to which tomb where Jesus' body was laid? There is no way they went to the wrong tomb on that morning as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week.
Why is it important for us to understand this and hold it as truth in our hearts? If Jesus had not died, if all we hold as being true is not true, then we are still dead in our sins. There is nothing for us after this life. But I say to you, in agreement with all the witnesses of His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ laid down His life on that old rugged cross. He came to save His people from our sins. He came to finish the work of redemption that was covenanted before the foundation of the world. He could not have declared, "It is finished," if He had not completely fulfilled the work He came to do. If He did not raise from that tomb, then the work is incomplete and we have no hope.
(1 Peter 1:3-5) "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."
He's alive, He's alive,
He's alive and I'm forgiven,
Heavens gates are open wide.
He's alive!