The Amazing Burial of Jesus Matthew 27:57-66 As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimethea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own tomb that he had cut out of rock. (Matt. 27:57-59a)

Introduction Miracle vs. Providence God rules the world through miracles and providence – Miracles – God supernaturally interrupts the natural processes – Providence – God orchestrates the natural processes to accomplish His predetermined will. Examples: Joseph in Egypt Ruth marrying Boaz God’s providence is clearly evident in the burial of Jesus

Joseph of Arimathea (vv ) First key focal point – fulfillment of two prophecies – Isaiah 53:9 – “His grave was assigned with wicked men, yet He was with a rich man in His death.” – Jesus’ declaration – “Just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matt. 12:40) As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimethea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own tomb that he had cut out of rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. (Matt. 27:57-60)

Joseph of Arimathea (vv ) As evening approached – refers to 15:00 – 18:00 – Sabbath began at 18:00 – Important for Jesus to die several hours before the end of the day to be in the ground parts of three days before His resurrection on Sunday morning – He had to be buried before the beginning of the Sabbath

Joseph of Arimathea (vv ) The breaking of the legs – Jewish leaders asked Pilate to have legs of the crucified men broken and their bodies taken down before the start of the sabbath (John 19:31) – Soldiers broke the legs of the two thieves, but Jesus was already dead – One of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water (John 19:34) Jesus’ legs were not broken – fulfilled prophecy in Psalms 34:20 – “He keeps all of his bones; not one of them is broken.”

Joseph of Arimethea (vv ) The appearance of Joseph of Arimethea – Normally the bodies of crucified men were thrown into a common grave for criminals – God moved in the heart of a godly man – there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus “A prominent member of the Council (Sanhedrin) (Mark 15:43) “A good and righteous man”; had not agreed to the execution of Jesus (Luke 23:50-51) A secret disciple of Jesus “for fear of the Jews” (John 19:38) – He gathered up courage (Mark 15:43) and going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body

Joseph of Arimathea (vv ) After removing it from the cross, Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock – Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee, joined Joseph and together they took a mixture of myrrh and aloes and bound them with Jesus in linen wrappings (John 19:39-40) Joseph rolled a big stone in from of the entrance to the tomb and went away – Stone kept animals out and prevented grave robbers from stealing valuables

The Two Marys (v. 61) Two Marys gave evidence of the deity of Christ in an usual and beautiful way Mary Magdalene and the other Mary – Mother of James the Less and Joseph (Mark 15:47) – Followed Joseph of Arimathea to the tomb – The men left after rolling the big stone in front of the entrance – The women were left alone engulfed in sorrow Early Sunday morning, they were the first witnesses to Jesus resurrection – Returned to finish anointing Jesus’ body God chose two women rather than the disciples to be the first witnesses of the resurrection of Christ Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb. (Matt. 27:61)

Chief Priests and Pharisees (vv ) Unknowingly the chief priests and the Pharisees provided evidence of Jesus’ deity They went to Pilate on the high Sabbath – They even went into his council chambers in the Praetorium – Highly unusual for Jewish religious leaders to meet with a pagan, secular ruler on the Sabbath The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 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.” “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard. (Matt. 27:62-66)

Chief Priests and Pharisees (vv ) Concerned about his influence even though he was dead “Sir, we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’” – Feared that his disciples would come and steal his body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead – Unfounded fear – disciples did not believe that He would literally rise from the dead The last deception will be worse than the first – Jesus claim to kingship would be verified in the eyes of the gullible people – Although dead, he would become a bigger threat to Rome

Chief Priests and Pharisees (vv ) Pilate said to them, “Take a guard, go make the tomb as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard. Purpose of Jewish leaders and Pilate was to prevent a hoax God’s purpose was to use their unbelieving antagonism to prove the reality of Christ’s resurrection and deity

Conclusion Paul declared, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28) When we are going through trouble and conflicts, hold on to the certainty that God’s sovereign, providential power is at work for His glory and for our good