The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 27 Part 8 The Tender And Honorable Burial Of Jesus' Body

We reached the point where Jesus laid down His life as a perfect sacrifice for the sins of all humanity for all time.

We noted how prophecies were literally fulfilled in the particular aspects of Christ's death on the cross.

God was at work reconciling a world of lost sinners to Himself through the sacrifice of His Son, our perfect Lamb.

Jesus cried out with a loud voice "It is finished" and mankind's sins were atoned for.

We saw the mighty miracles of a sun darkened during the time of day it shone the brightest.

God shook the earth with a mighty earthquake such that a battle hardened Roman centurion shouted out "Truly, this was the Son of God!"

Now we turn our attention to what happened to Jesus' body.

Matthew 27:57-58  When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple: 58  He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 

This Joseph was a counsellor of the great Sanhedrin, (See Luke 23:50).

What we read of him from the gospels we learn that he was a man of great integrity. 

He now acted more honorably than all the disciples of our Lord. 

They deserted Christ when He was arrested but Joseph boldly came to Pilate to request Jesus' body for burial purposes.

Matthew 27:59-61  And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60  And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61  And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.  

John's gospel tells us that the same Nicodemus who came to see Jesus at night, helped prepare the body of Christ for proper Jewish burial.

The Jews added spices to keep the body from putrefaction, and linen was wrapped about every part to keep the aromatics in contact with the flesh. 

From John 19:39-40, we learn that a mixture of myrrh and aloes of one hundred pounds’ weight had been applied to the body of Jesus when He was buried. 

A second embalmment was intended, we learn from (See Luke 23:56 to 24:1).

They were hurrying to get Jesus' body interred before the Sabbath when they were not allowed to embalm a body for burial.

Joseph laid the body of Jesus in his own, new tomb and rolled a great stone to block any entry to it.

The entombment of Jesus' body literally fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah.

Isaiah 53:9  And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. 

Matthew tells us that the two Mary's stood nearby to take note of where Jesus was buried, that they might return after the sabbath to complete the final embalming. 

Matthew 27:62-64  Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63  Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64  Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 

The murderous and lying priests were not finished with their diabolical work.

They came to Pilate and demanded that he send extra soldiers to guard the tomb so that Jesus' disciples could not come by night and steal His body.

They demanded that the soldiers stay for three days and Pilate gave in to their demands.

Matthew 27:65-66  Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66  So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. 

Pilate told them to leave and make the tomb as secure as they could. 

They put an official Roman seal on it because an unauthorized person taking off the seal was subject to death.

We leave Jesus here. His soul was in paradise, no doubt rejoicing the hearts of all the Old Testament saints who would comprise that firstfruits offering Jesus would give to His Father in heaven.

His sinless body was carefully prepared for burial using the finest linen wrappings and costly, aromatic spices.

Thus, honor like the Old Testament kings enjoyed, was bestowed upon our Lord.

Atonement for sin was made.

God's prophetic word was literally fulfilled just as He said it would be.

We will turn next to the crowning glory of God's redemptive plan: the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead!

Bob