Old Llantrisant Hill
Introduction
- Considering the last few verses
- The burial of Jesus Christ
- We often hear of the death and resurrection - but not the burial
- Quote from Paul
- His burial was prophesied by Isaiah
- The heart of the Gospel message is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ
- Without this we would have no hope
- Christ came to save sinners
- Consider the word provision
- Christ made no burial plans - but this was provided for Him
- God is a God of provision
- We will lack no good thing
- God provides for creation and provides for us
- Quote from Psalms
- Jesus provided in times of great necessity
- Water into wine
- The feeding of the 5'000
- Cooking the disciples a breakfast
- Healing, raising a child from the dear
- He made no provision for His own burial - although He spelled out His death
- No funeral plans or arrangements
- He trusted His heavenly Father
- Overview: the provision of a new Tomb
- A remarkable provision
- A costly provision
- A worthy provision
A Remarkable Provision
- The Jews did not want Jesus' death to occur on the Sabbath
- Thus there was little time to prepare the body
- Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body
- Would Pilate have listened to someone other than Joseph of Arimathea?
- He is a member of the Sanhedrin
- He is influential
- Yet is was the Sanhedrin who were instrumental in Jesus' death
- Jesus was not to be thrown with the other criminals
- Nicodemus went with Joseph
- Reading v50-52
- He took the body (with Nicodemus) and placed it in the tomb
- Example of God's provision: Rahab, Moses, David, Elijah, Jesus
- The most unusual of people in the most unusual of circumstances
- Application:
- Nothing is impossible with God
- Fulfillment of Scripture
A Costly Provision
Joseph of Arimathea
- It was a risk for Joseph of Arimathea to go to Pilate
- He was a prominent council member
- He took courage and went - even though people may have turned against Him
- There is a testing delay
- Reading Mark 15:44-45
- After finding out from the Centurion Pilate granted the body to Joseph of Arimathea
- Christianity is not easy
- Jesus must be Lord of our life
- He demands total devotion
- He tells us to daily take up our cross and follow Him
- Costly love
- Joseph of Arimathea is now confessing Jesus openly
- Mary shows her devotion with the anointing of Jesus
- He gave his own tomb – Matthew 27:60
- Have you thought about where you might be laid to rest?
- He would have needed another tomb for himself
- There was no mistaking the location of this tomb
Nicodemus
- Reading John 19:39-40
- He gives so much
- What does it cost us to follow Jesus Christ?
A Worthy Provision
- The days of Jesus humiliation were over and the days of His exaltation were to begin
- There was an indignity about death
- Yet He was given power to lay down and to take up His life
- This new tomb represents His exaltation
- No-one was permitted to see it
- A body that allowed Him to appear behind locked doors
- He shows Himself for 40 days - His disciples and 500 others see Him
- He is ascended into heaven, is reigning with God in heaven and He will come again
- Isaiah 53:9
- Christ rises from the dead
Closing Remarks
- Reading v53-56
- In order to fulfill Scripture Jesus had to rise on the third day
- The women were not expecting this
- The tomb was gloriously empty
- The resurrection is the basis of Christianity
- Consider the evidence - Christ has risen
- Believe in Him, follow Him