In the Garden a New Sepulchre (John 19:41)

2024-03-30

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. (John 19:38-40)

Joseph of Arimathaea, a rich and honorable counselor, was instrumental in getting Jesus a proper burial. Having the boldness to approach Pilate to retrieve the body of Jesus, Joseph received the body. He wrapped Him in clean linen cloth. Nicodemus was with him, bringing spices, including myrrh and aloes. This wrapping of the linens included these spices. This was a Jewish custom in those days. Certain women also prepared spices and ointments for Jesus’ body, but they had to wait until after the Sabbath days before they could administer them. “And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).

Having his own tomb for himself, Joseph used it to bury Jesus in. The counselor had “his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock” (Matthew 27:60). This shows that he was rich enough to not only have bought this area but also hire people to dig through rock to prepare the tomb for himself. He gave it up for the Lord. To close it, “he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre” (Matthew 27:60). The stone that enclosed the tomb was considerable: “it was very great” (Mark 16:4).

No other body was ever laid in this tomb; it was never defiled by a dead body before. There was also a garden there: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid” (John 19:41). This tomb was also close to Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified. This situation was well engineered by God from the beginning. “There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand” (John 19:42). The feast sabbaths, including the Passover, the feast of unleavened bread, and the upcoming regular sabbath day, required haste in this endeavor.

Because of Jesus’ Passion predictions, the unbelieving religious leaders understood a resurrection could be fabricated by stealing the body, so they ask the governor for guards around the tomb. In addition, the stone that was placed there by Joseph was sealed on the tomb. “Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch” (Matthew 27:65-66).

This burial further was an acknowledgment that Jesus was truly dead; both His friends and His foes were certain of it. They did everything they could to seal that tomb.

Jesus’ burial is very much a part of the Gospel message. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). He really died for us, not “kind of-sort of” died. He did not swoon. He was dead: No pulse. No brainwaves. His spirit departed from His body. There was no doubt. Everyone agreed, both friend and foe.

Jesus’ burial is very much a part of Bible prophecy. “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” (Isaiah 53:9). Isaiah foretold of Jesus being buried in Joseph’s tomb centuries in advance.

Jesus’ burial is very much a part of the Christian life. “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12). His burial is our burial. Our old man having died and been buried with Christ, we are risen with Him in newness of life.