3. Luke 23:50-56 50 Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, who had not consented to their decision and action. He came from the Judean town of Arimathea and he was waiting for the kingdom of God. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no- one had yet been laid. It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment.

4. History: Ramah aka Arimathea Old Testament Samuel’s Home Jeremiah  “weeping and crying” New Testament Joseph’s home Herod  Killed the babies

5. Cross = Failure?

6. Costly step I’d failed The Cross  A Place of Failure  For Jesus?  For Mankind?

7. The 2 nd Day The Crowds  Sabbath-solemn  Minded their own business. Disciples  locked the doors  planned their journeys home. Peter  spoken out once too often  nothing he could do. Mary and the other women  wept and wept and then prepared their spices. Jesus said “What did I tell you?” The 3 rd Day

8. Triumph on the Over death Over prejudice Over stigma The 3 rd Day

9. Over death Spiritual death  Result of sin  Failing to meet God’s standards Triumph on theThe 3 rd Day

10. Romans 3 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. 21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.

11. Over death Spiritual death  Result of sin  Failing to meet God’s standards  Romans 3 Christ Triumphed  Took our sin  Beat evil The 3 rd DayTriumph on the

12. My Response Change direction? Let the Cross make a difference Anxiety fades Live in victory

14. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back, no turning back

15. The cross before me, the world behind me, No turning back, no turning back.

16. The cross behind me, the crown before me, No turning back, no turning back.

17. The light before me, the dark behind me, No turning back, no turning back. Words: anon, altered, music arranged C Simmonds CCL6525