INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Covenant (with Abram) of Promise
2. The Continuing (Unchangeable) Priesthood
3. The Cerecloth (Linen Wrap) Pervaded
Introductory Remarks.
1. In this lesson, we will discuss the theme: “Passing through the pieces.” The hope of our salvation and the assurance of our faith are due entirely to the certainty that Jesus is the Son of God, and His passing through the pieces for us in His covenant agreement with Abram, His continuing (unchangeable) Priesthood, and His pervading (passing) through the linen cloth, during His resurrection from the dead. This will be one of our “topical” sermons presented to the Church of Christ. I chose to present it in this format because I can speak of several instances where we might suggest there was a “passing through the pieces.”
2. First, we will discuss God's covenant promise with Abram in His passing through the pieces during their covenant agreement. A sacrifice needed to be prepared that would be sufficient for the God of heaven to confirm His promises to Abram that through “his seed shall all the nations of the earth would be blessed” by Jesus Christ. Who is the “promised seed of Abraham”; that is, “the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel,” Ephesians 3:6.
3. Second, we will describe Christ’s setting up His continuing (unchanging) priesthood that resulted when He passed through the temple veil, which was “rent from top to bottom,” at His death on the cross. The removal of this veil set up the continuing (unchanging) priesthood of Christ as our High Priest, “whoever liveth to make intercession for us,” Hebrews 7:25. The death and resurrection of Christ made it possible through heaven’s intervention to allow for us “human intercession;” “into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us; through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,” Hebrews 10:19-21.
4. Lastly, we will investigate the final thought “in the passing through the pieces,” that is, Jesus’ pervading through the cerecloth (linen wrap), bound around His body, the day of His resurrection from the dead. We affirm in this statement that the tomb was not open to let Jesus out but to allow us to go in and inspect the place where His body once lay. The assessment of the tomb establishes that Jesus was raised from the dead, and the disciples did not steal the body as the Roman Officials reported it; many today deny John’s account of the “resurrection of Christ,” John 19:40; John 20:4-7. With this introduction, let’s consider our first thought: “the covenant (with Abram) of promise” God made unto him during their covenant agreement.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE COVENANT (WITH ABRAM) OF PROMISE
A. Promise to Abram. In the setting before us, Jehovah is entering a covenant agreement with Abram: “That, in his seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed,” Genesis 22:18. This agreement will have lasting benefits for us today because of Jehovah’s pledge to Abram.
1. The promise: “And he brought him (Abram) forth abroad, and said, look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him: So, shall thy seed be,” Genesis 15:5. This was God’s promise to Abram before entering into a “covenant” relationship with him, intended to ratify this promise.
2. I brought you out. “And He said to him, I am Yahweh that brought you out of Ur of the Chaldees, to give you this land to inherit it,” Genesis 15:7.
3. How will I know? Abram asked: “And he said, O Lord Yahweh, whereby shall I know that I shall inherit it?” Genesis 15:8.
4. Abram desired proof of Jehovah’s promise. Out of all the promises Jehovah has made unto Abram, this land promise is the only one from which he requested assurance from Jehovah.
B. The preparation of the pieces. Jehovah said: “And He said to him, Take me a heifer three years old, and a she-goat three years old, and a ram three years old, and a turtle-dove, and a young pigeon,” Genesis 15:9.
1. Arranging of the pieces: “And he took him all these, and divided them in the midst, and laid each half over against the other: but the birds divided he not. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away,” Genesis 15:10-11.
2. Abram’s deep sleep: “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him,” Genesis 15:12.
3. Israel’s history foretold: “And He (Jehovah) said to Abram, know of a surety that your seed shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years,” Genesis 15:13. The Lord God outlines the history of Abram seed as such:
a. They shall be sojourners in a land that is not theirs (Egypt);
b. They shall serve them (in bondage as enslaved people);
c. They shall be afflicted (persecuted) for 400 years.
d. They shall endure it until the “iniquity (the cup) of the Amorites is full.”
4. Conclusion: God permitted His people to suffer hardship for 400 years, giving their persecutors and the possessors of the land sufficient time to repent so as not to be destroyed. When God had allowed them to endure this affliction, waiting for the “cup of iniquity” of the Amorites to be “full,” he brought them out with great substance.
ILLUSTRATION: Why Do My Enemies Prosper? And I Suffer? See Jeremiah 12:1; Psalms 27:13; Psalms 37:34; and Psalms 91:8.
C. Great “Nation” shall emerge: “And also that nation (Egypt), whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they (Israel) come out with great substance. But you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried at a good old age. And in the fourth generation (after 400 years) they shall come here again; for the iniquity (cup) of the Amorite will then be full,” Genesis 15:14-16.
D. The passing described. Notice: “And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a flaming torch that passed between these pieces,” Genesis 15:17.
1. Picture of the objects. The objects represent the two parties (a smoking furnace and a burning lamp.) Remember that these two objects represent two parties (participants), making a covenant agreement, “Jehovah and Abram.”
a. Abram, though present, was in a deep sleep and did not personally “pass through the pieces.” Someone else took his place in this covenant agreement.
b. The two objects making this procession represented two parties whose identity we shall now discover!
c. Consider these two “objects” or “parties” that passed through the pieces to make a covenant with Abram and his Seed - Christ. Notice:
2. First, the smoking furnace. This was a figure of Jehovah: “And Mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly” Exodus 19:18; Genesis 19:28.
a. Jehovah is depicted in the object as a “smoking furnace.”
b. The smoke reveals here the “glory of God,” Psalms 144:5; Revelation 15:8. But, who was the other party that represented Abram?
3. Further, the burning lamp. This was, without a doubt, Christ – the promised seed of Abraham. Notice these scriptures referencing a “burning lamp.” Now, stay with me, church! This is going to get good.
a. David’s Song, he declared: “For thou art, my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness,” 2 Samuel 22:29; Psalms 27:1. The Lord is my lamp!
1) “There will I make the horn of David to bud: I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed,” Psalms 132:17
a) Anointed means Christ and messiah, Luke 2:26; John 4:25-26.
b) Christ is God’s anointed, Isaiah 61:1-2; Luke 4:16-19; Hebrews 1:9.
2) “He also exalteth the horn of people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near him. Praise ye the Lord,” Psalms 148:14.
3) “Zacharias (John the Baptist’s father) was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophesied, saying, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for He hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David; As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began ...To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; The oath which he swore to our father Abraham,” Luke 1:67-73.
ILLUSTRATION: Christ the “Horn” of David.
a) A horn is an emblem of power, dominion, and glory, Daniel 7:13-14.
b) The expression, the “horn of salvation,” applied to Christ; the means of salvation, of strength, or a strong Saviour, 2 Samuel 22:3; Luke 1:69.
c) To have the horn “exalted” means prosperity and triumph, Psalms 89:17.
d) References, Easton’s Bible Dictionary; Nave’s Topical Bible.
b. David wrote: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path,” Psalms 119:105. Christ is the “Word” and thus the lamp, John 1:1-3; John 1:14.
c. Hear Jesus: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life,” John 8:12; John 12:46.
d. The Lord Jesus was that “burning lamp” that passed through the pieces, and He is that “light” that giveth life unto the world, Psalms 18:28; Psalms 119:130.
4. Finally, a “lamp that burneth.” Isaiah writes: “For Zion’s sake will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest until the righteousness goes forth as brightness and salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth. And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name,” Isaiah 62:1-2. This is Isaiah’s promise of the “righteousness and salvation”; that shall be sent to the People and the Gentiles. Let’s examine why the Lord was that “burning lamp”; and is the “salvation” that go forth as a “lamp that burneth.” Notice:
a. The “righteousness” that goes forth as brightness.
1) “The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory,” Psalms 97:6. Also: “The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen,” Psalms 98:2.
2) Paul writes: “But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; even the righteousness which is by the faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference,” Romans 3:21-22. See also Isaiah 45:25.
3) Paul again writes: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, he shall live by faith,” Romans 1:16-17.
4) Conclusion: Brethren that the righteousness being spoken of here in this verse is not ours; but that of the Lord of heaven; that should come to shew forth His righteousness, unto both the Jew and Gentiles.
b. The salvation as a “lamp that burneth.”
1) Simeon, who was: “Waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel,” Luke 2:27-32.
2) The Lord’s words to Paul: “But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister ...Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light ...that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me,” Acts 26:16-18.
3) Paul’s turning to the Gentiles: “Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, it was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye have put it from you, and judged yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have sent thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed,” Acts 13:46-48; Acts 28:23-28.
c. The Gentiles shall see THY “righteousness.”
1) David said: “The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly showed in the sight of the heathen (Gentiles). He hath remembered his mercy and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God,” Psalms 98:2-3; Isaiah 52:10.
2) Paul: “What shall we say then? The Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained the righteousness, even the righteousness of faith,” Romans 9:30.
3) Peter at the Jerusalem conference: “And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose and said ...God chose among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe,” Acts 15:7.
4) Message of Paul and Barnabas: “Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them,” Acts 15:12.
5) Discourse of James: “And after they had held their peace, James answered saying ...God first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agrees with the words of the prophets; as it is written, after this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things,” Acts 15:13-17.
d. And, all kings THY “glory.”
1) Isaiah said: “And the Gentiles shall see thy (the Lord’s) righteousness, and all kings thy (the Lord’s) glory: and thou (the Lord) shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord (Jehovah) shall name,” Isaiah 62:2.
2) David said: “So the heathen (Gentiles) shall fear the name of the Lord and all the kings of the earth thy glory,” Psalms 102:15. David again: “All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD when they hear the words of thy mouth. Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD,” Psalms 138:4-5.
3) The preaching of Paul: “O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: ...King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, almost thou persuade me to be a Christian,” Acts 26:19-28.
ILLUSTRATION: King Agrippa Almost Saved.
4) John the Revelator: “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever,” Revelation 11:15; Revelation 21:24.
5) Conclusion: Again, these verses speak of Christ, the message of his grace and forgiveness, that giveth “light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of His people Israel,” Luke 2:32. Notice:
a) Isaiah saith: “In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory,” Isaiah 45:25.
b) Paul said: “Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy as it is written, ‘For this cause, I will confess to thee among the Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. And again, he saith, rejoice ye Gentiles, with his people. And again, Praise the Lord all ye Gentiles; and laud him all ye people. And again, Isaiah saith, there shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust,’” Romans 15:8-12. This “root is Christ,” and His reign shall be overall in His “kingdom upon the throne of David,” Luke 1:32-33; Acts 2:30; 1 Corinthians 15:20-27; Colossians 1:13.
c) Conclusion: Therefore, Christ is that light, salvation, righteousness, and glory in whom the Gentiles and the people, Israel NOW trusteth. Like our precious Lord Jesus Christ, Paul was also a “minister unto the Gentiles, according to the grace of God given unto him,” Romans 15:14-19; Ephesians 3:6-8. Now, let’s consider this last piece of Isaiah’s prophecy.
e. Thou shall be called by a “new name.” There might be two positions on this prophecy: the name Christian and the name of Jesus. The text would support either, with careful examination. However, the promises of his prophecy, i.e., “thy righteousness, and thy glory,” clearly hath its reference to the Lord’s righteousness and glory, not us, the believers in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:30; 1 Corinthians 2:8. Notice:
1) Jeremiah’s prophecy:
a) “In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness,” Jeremiah 33:16.
b) “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch and a King shall reign and prosper and execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS,” Jeremiah 23:5-6. This promise is repeated in Jeremiah 33:14-16.
c) David: “I will make thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore, shall the people praise thee forever and ever,” Psalms 45:17; Psalms 72:17.
d) Paul writes: “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: that, according to that which is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord,” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31; 2 Corinthians 5:21.
2) Disciples: “And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch,” Acts 11:26.
3) Peter: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them ...Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole ...Neither is their salvation in any other: for there are none other names under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved,” Acts 4:8-12. Brethren; the name mentioned in our text is Jesus. Here now; how the: “mouth of the Lord shall name.”
f. Which the “mouth of the Lord” shall name. The name to be given, which came FORTH from the “mouth of the Lord,” was JESUS. Notice:
1) The Angel and Mary: “And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth ...And the angel came in unto her, and said, ...the Lord is with thee: blessed are thou among women... And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, bring forth a son, and call his name JESUS... He shall be great... He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom, there shall be no end,” Luke 1:26-33; Jeremiah 33:14-16; Acts 2:30-36.
ILLUSTRATION: Angel Speaking the Words of the Lord.
2) The Angel and Joseph: “The angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto you Mary, thy wife; for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins,” Matthew 1:20-21.
3) The name Jesus – means: “Jehovah is salvation” Matthew 1:21.
a) Circumcision of Christ: “And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcision of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb,” Luke 2:21.
b) Simeon’s prophecy: “For mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel,” Luke 2:30-32; Luke 3:6.
c) The name “Jesus” means salvation, and “neither is there salvation in any other name,” Acts 4:12. Jesus is the “name” given by “the mouth of the Lord.”
d) They shall call His name Immanuel, or “God with us,” Matthew 1:23.
4) Jesus is Saviour and Lord, Titus 1:4; Titus 2:13; Titus 3:4-6.
E. The covenant made: “In that day Yahweh made a covenant with Abram,” Genesis 15:18. Paul writes, “That was confirmed before of God in Christ,” Galatians 3:17. Another translation renders this clause: “Promise made by God to Christ.” God made this promise to Christ as both: “passed through the pieces,” Genesis 15:17.
1. Christ took the place of Abram and “passed through the pieces with Jehovah.” Moses wrote: “And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, a horror of great darkness fell upon him,” Genesis 15:12.
2. Thus, the covenant between them (God and Abram) was confirmed. One might ask, “Why wasn’t Abram a part of this covenant agreement in person?” May I suggest to you this explanation? This covenant merited the “highest character of righteousness between both parties” in this pledge. God is making an “agreement with God,” Christ stood in for Abram to ensure that no “weakness of the flesh” could break this covenant – as it was in the Old Testament. Let us now consider “the continuing (unchangeable) priesthood.”
II THE CONTINUING (UNCHANGEABLE) PRIESTHOOD
A. Priesthood is being changed. Paul writes: “For the priesthood being changed, there is made of necessity a change also of the Law,” Hebrews 7:12. Notice:
1. First, the law: “For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which, we draw night unto God,” Hebrews 7:19; Hebrews 10:22.
2. Further, “The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing... But Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say not of this building... but by His blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us,” Hebrews 9:8-12.
3. Finally, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood, and without shedding of blood is no remission. It was, therefore, necessary that the patterns of things in the heavens should be purified with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy place made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us,” Hebrews 9:22-24.
4. Conclusion: The priesthood of Christ was an unchanging appointment. Christ would enter not into the “holiest of holy” like the High Priest to offer atonement for the people, but into heaven itself to offer His blood for the sins of all ages. His priesthood would be unchangeable, not bound by age or time. Seeing He ever liveth to make “intercession for us,” Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:34.
B. Removal of the veil. Our Lord removed the Old Testament priesthood at the point of His death when the “temple veil was rent from top to bottom.” The removal of this veil made it possible for the believers to enter into the presence of God to make their request known unto Him. Therefore, it is now possible for believers to “pass through the veil” to enter into the presence of God with Jesus. Christ has made us: “Kings and priests unto God and His Father,” Revelation 1:6; Revelation 5:10. Jesus has made all this possible for us. Notice:
1. First, Matthew writes: “Jesus, when He had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from top to bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent, And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many,” Matthew 27:50-53.
2. Further, Paul writes: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh; And having a high priest over the house of God,” Hebrews 10:19. As a result of heavenly intervention, we now have human intercession. Christ’s pierced side and shed blood make this intercession possible.
3. Next, John writes: “But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water,” John 19:34. It was his bloody pierced side that opened unto us “a new and living way.” Christ is the way. This way was made possible for us through the opening of His flesh. His rent body poured out the redeeming blood, and thus the veil before the holiest of all: was rent in twain; that we might have access to the “throne of God.” The rented veil is “the pierced side of the body of Jesus” on the cross. Church, say Amen!
4. Finally, Paul states: “And they (other priests) truly were many priests...But this man (Jesus), because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood,” Hebrews 7:23-24.
a. Wherefore also He: “Can save them to the uttermost that comes unto God by Him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them,” Hebrews 7:25.
b. Such a High Priest: “He became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens,” Hebrews 7:26.
c. Who needeth not daily: “As those high priests, to offer sacrifices, first for his sins, and then for the people’s: for this, he did once when he offered up himself,” Hebrews 7:27. For He knew no sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22-24.
d. For the law: “Maketh men high priests which have infirmity: but the word of the oath, which was since, the law, maketh the Son (High Priest), who is consecrated for evermore,” Hebrews 7:28.
5. Conclusion: Christ’s unchanging priesthood permits Him to intercede for the saints without wavering. His priesthood has opened access for all saints into the Heavenly by removing the veil that hid us from God's presence.
a. This is because of our sin and disobedience, Isaiah 59:1-2.
b. But, in light of the believers having been “washed from their sins by the blood of Christ,” Revelation 1:4-5.
c. Resulting in having their “hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed in pure water,” Hebrews 10:22; Acts 22:16. Mainly, in baptism, as many commentators have agreed, we now have access to God. We now have access to the “throne of God” by working on God’s eternal promise.
d. Jesus, as our High Priest, now appears in the presence of God for all the saints. He is the “mediator of the New Testament.” The “Old Testament” was part of the old priesthood. The priesthood has now changed; it was also necessary to change the Law. It is no longer the Law of Moses but the Law of Christ!
C. The First Covenant. One might ask, why is there a need for another covenant? Indeed, the Law was good, righteous, and holy. Paul grants us an answer. Notice:
1. First, “FOR IF the first covenant had been faultless, no place shall have been sought for the second. For finding fault in them, He saith, Behold the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a NEW COVENANT with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant and I regarded them not, saith the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel ...For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and I will remember their sins and iniquities no more.”
2. Further, “In that He saith, A NEW COVENANT, he hath made the first old. For (now) that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away,” Hebrews 8:7-13. Where was the fault in this old covenant?
3. Finally, “For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit,” Romans 8:3-4; Galatians 4:4-5.
4. Conclusion: The first covenant was faulty due to the weakness of people's flesh. Jehovah had determined to make a new covenant that would not be faulty due to the people's weakness. His covenant would be made with the children of Abraham through Christ. This covenant would include both Jews and Gentiles. The first covenant was made between “Moses and Israel,” and the new covenant was made between “Jehovah and Abram's seed – which is Christ.”
D. Old Testament Priest. Consider Paul: “And every priest standing daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:”
1. First, “But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies are made his footstool.”
2. Second, “For by one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.”
3. Third, “Of which the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them.”
4. Forth, “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”
5. Fifth, “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin,” Hebrews 10:11-18.
6. Conclusion: Every priest stands out in daily ministering. However, Christ offered his sacrifice "once for all," but the Levitical priests offered daily sacrifices that could never take away sins. But this man, Jesus, after. . . one sacrifice, Himself on the cross, sat down, on the right hand of God. This implies that he needs to make no more offerings for sins. He ascended to be honored forever. From henceforth, we expect and wait until every enemy is conquered. For by one offering, and that was on the cross, he hath perfected the believers forever. This offering granted all who are forgiven a perfect conscience, free from the guilt of their sin and sanctified by the blood of Christ forever. Amen and Amen!
E. The New Testament. The Holy Ghost testified that Jehovah had promised a new covenant that would result in the “forgiveness of sins,” Matthew 26:28; Acts 5:29-32. Jehovah said: “This is the covenant I will make with them.” Notice:
1. Jeremiah writes: “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant ...But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor...for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more,” Jeremiah 31:31-34.
2. Prophecy fulfilled: “But Christ having become a high priest of good things to come ...And for this cause, he is the mediator of the New Testament that using death, for the redemption of the transgression that was under the first testament, (that) they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must also be the death of the testator ...For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise, it is of no strength (has no authority) at all while the testator liveth,” Hebrews 9:11-17.
3. Heavenly intervention. Let’s notice God’s heavenly intervention in our ability to obtain access to His throne through Jesus Christ. Notice Paul’s analogy:
a. First, a body prepared Him: “Wherefore when he (Christ) cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure ...I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God ...Then said he, lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first that he may establish the second,” Hebrews 10:5-9. Paul explains:
Christ has offered His body once and for all – that we might be sanctified forever. Amen!
b. Further, His body offered once: “By which we (the believers) are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus once for all,” Hebrews 10:10.
c. Next, His offering of one sacrifice: “And every priest standeth daily ministering and often offering the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God: From henceforth expecting till his enemies are made his footstool,” Hebrews 10:11-13; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22.
d. Additionally, by one offering:
1) The believer is sanctified: “For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified,” Hebrews 10:14; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelation 1:4-5.
2) Holy Ghost witness: “Of which the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord:”
a) “I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;”
b) “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more,” Hebrews 10:15-17.
e. Finally, no more offering: “Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin,” Hebrews 10:18.
4. Human intercession. As a result of Christ’s intervention and establishing a new covenant, we now have access to God. Let’s now consider our “human intercession.” Notice Paul again:
a. First, having boldness: “Having, therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,”
b. Further, new and living way: “By a new and living way, which he that consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh;”
c. Next, having a high priest: “And having a high priest over the house of God:"
1) "Let us draw near with a true heart ...having our hearts ...bodies washed with pure water.” Most writers attribute this statement to baptism.
2) "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith ... (for he is faithful that promised);”
3) "Let us consider one another...unto love and good works: ...Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together ...as ye see the day approaching,” Hebrews 10:19-25.
5. Conclusion: Because of heaven’s intervention, God sent Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins; we now have human intercession “through the veil” in His presence. Therefore, let us have the boldness and confidence to enter His presence and obtain the forgiveness of our sins through the cleansing blood of Christ, through which we have been sanctified forever. Finally, let’s consider our last point, Jesus “passing through the pieces,” His “Linen Cloth.”
III THE CERECLOTH (LINEN WRAP) PERVADED
A. The burial cerecloth. Until now, we have discussed how we have access to God. We will now consider the Jewish burial methods and how we can be assured that Jesus was, in fact, “raised from the dead”; thus, to refute that His body was stolen, as some allege to deny the “resurrection.” This point begins with the disciples preparing the body of Jesus for burial.
1. Joseph of Arimathaea: “Being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilot that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him leave. He came, therefore, and took the body of Jesus,” John 19:38.
2. Nicodemus: “And there also came Nicodemus, which at first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight,” John 19:39.
3. John devotes much attention to Jesus’ burial. He tells us that Nicodemus brought about a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes to apply spices, as the body was bound in linen wrappings. We learn from John that His body and His head were wrapped separately, John 19:39-40; John 20:6-7.
B. The burial of Jesus. John writes: “Then they took the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen cloths along with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury,” John 19:40. He will now provide some details about how the body of Christ was prepared for burial. Only John speaks to this in his account of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Notice:
1. They “wound” the body of Jesus in linen cloths and with spices (Gr., "aromatics"). The word “wound” in Gr., is “de-o,” i.e., to bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, or wind about. The body of Jesus was “wrapped around and about with linen cloths.” Notice:
a. First, they placed a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloes between the body and the linen cloths. Myrrh and aloes are associated with preparing the king's anointing, Psalms 45:6-8. This is a depiction of Christ's anointing, Hebrews 1:8-9.
b. Further, aloes are associated with God’s Garden, Numbers 24:6.
c. Next, myrrh is the first spice mentioned as scenting oil used to anoint the high priest and the Tabernacle, Exodus 30:23.
d. Finally, myrrh is also associated with kingship. The magi brought to the newborn king (Jesus) gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, Matthew 2:11. While these three items figure prominently in the Tabernacle structure and worship, at this point, it is a kingship that is being highlighted.
e. Conclusion: These two scents permeated Christ’s linen cloths and remained on His body as it reposed in the tomb. When He rose from the grave, He would have the smell of myrrh and aloes. Therefore, Jesus is seen as presenting Himself as the anointed king before His kingdom as he takes His place to sit upon the throne of David.
2. As the manner of the Jews is to bury. We must look beyond Jesus' burial to understand how His body was prepared. You recall the resurrection of Lazarus, and there were signs of how the body was prepared for burial. In Bethany, when Jesus called Lazarus from the dead, we see how he was bound for burial. Notice:
a. First, “And when he (Jesus) thus had spoken (to His Father in prayer), he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth,” John 11:43. The Lord now summons Lazarus from the grave.
b. Further, “And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin,” John 11:44a. As he appeared in the door of the tomb, he was “bound from hand to foot,”; being unable to “lose himself.” Lazarus, now alive, required some assistance to be released from his grave clothing. He was bound hand and foot.
c. Next, “Jesus saith unto them, lose him and let him go," John 11:44b.
d. Finally, let’s consider Lazarus's “bound body” as he stood at the tomb door. By doing so, we can picture how the body of Jesus must have lye in the grave. Lazarus, as he stands at the door of the tomb, his:
1) The body was “bound hand and foot with grave clothes.” The word bound, in Gr., is “deo” or de-o, i.e., to bind, to be in bonds, knit, tie, to wind up.
2) Face was “bound about with a napkin.” The words bound about, in Gr., is “perideo” or pe-re-de-o, to bind around one; i.e., enwrap: -bind about.
ILLUSTRATION: Bound like a Mummy.
3) Conclusion: The world has never beheld a more wonderful or startling sight. At once, Lazarus arose, came forth, (being) bound with grave clothes, and the napkin still bound about his face.
a. The bystanders, astonished, dazed, when the Lord bade them, "Lose him and let him go." He spoke as the Resurrection and the Life, and death obeyed.
b. When Jesus cried to Lazarus, “Come forth”; so, shall he speak with the voice of an archangel and all in the graves, shall come forth and live, John 5:28-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
ILLUSTRATION: The Just and Unjust will rise and be judged, Acts 24:14-15.
c. Another translation: “The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a headcloth. Jesus said, "Unwrap him and let him go," John 11:44. Notice His words: “Unwrap him and let him go.” With this added information, let’s consider how this applies to Jesus, as His body was prepared and lay in the grave.
C. Laid the body in a tomb: “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden, a new tomb, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they, Jesus, therefore because of the Jews’ preparation day, for the tomb was nigh at hand,” John 19:41-42.
1. This corresponds with Isaiah’s prophecy of his death and burial. Isaiah wrote: “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.
2. Crucified between two thieves and placed in the tomb of a rich ruler. Jesus was put to death among the wicked and was buried in the tomb of an affluent Jewish leader. For Jesus said: “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests: but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head,” Luke 9:58. He lay first in a borrowed manger; now he lay in a borrowed tomb, Luke 2:7; Luke 2:16.
D. The resurrection of Christ. We will now address the resurrection of Jesus: “As it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And, behold ...for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it... And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek crucified Jesus... go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead ...And they departed quickly ...to tell his disciples,” Matthew 28:1-9. Let’s understand what has just happened. Notice:
1. Matthew’s account is that Jesus was raised; this is certified by the women whom the angel of the Lord instructed. The women then went to tell the disciples. The remainder of this story is found after the soldier enters the city to alert the chief priests of everything done. They reported to the elders what had occurred at the tomb. The Council:
a. Gave considerable money unto the soldiers.
b. Created the story, "His disciples came by night, and stole him (the Body of Christ) away while they slept.”
c. Decided to cover the soldiers: "If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and secure you.”
d. So they (the soldiers) took the money and did as they were taught: "And this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day,” Matthew 28:11-15.
2. Mark's account, he adds: “They (the women) came unto the grave at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves (the women), who shall roll away the stone from the tomb's door for us? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was great. And entering ...they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them: Be not affrighted: ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he has risen; he is not here: behold the place when they laid him... go tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee... and they went out quickly,” Mark 16:1-8. Mark states that the angel showed them where he once lay but was risen from the dead. He says nothing about the soldiers or the council. Now, Luke’s account gives testimony that the body of Jesus was not found in the tomb and that he was raised from the dead.
3. Luke’s account:
a. The women went to the tomb: “Now upon the first day of the week...they came unto the sepulcher, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the grave. And they entered in and found not the body of the Lord Jesus... Behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: ...and said unto them: Why seek ye the living among the dead? ...He is not here but is risen,” Luke 24:1-6.
b. The disciples went to the tomb: “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulcher; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass,” Luke 24:9-12.
c. The Lord appears unto two men on the road to Emmaus, Luke 24:13-35.
d. The Lord appears unto the 11 disciples, Luke 24:36-53. These men saw the resurrected body of the Lord. They touched Him and handled Him. They preached that Jesus was raised from the dead and were “eyewitnesses to His majesty,” 2 Peter 1:16.
E. The resurrection, according to John. John’s account of the resurrection of Christ provides more information concerning the grave than the other writers. The Apostle John gives us indisputable evidence that Jesus had indeed risen. His account dispels the story of the Jewish Council that the disciples stole the body of Christ. Notice John’s account:
1. The women entered the tomb early on the first day of the week, John 20:1-2.
2. Peter and other disciples ran to the tomb. He “looking in, saw the linen cloths lying; yet went he not in,” John 20:3-5.
3. Evidence in the TOMB: “Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the grave, and seeth the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then that other disciple went in (into the tomb), which came first to the grave, and he saw and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture that he must be raised from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their own home,” John 20:6-10. Let’s analyze the evidence within the tomb.
a. Peter “went into the sepulcher.” Unlike John, who just looked into the tomb, he went into the grave and examined what now could be deemed a “crime scene.” If the body was stolen, as some allege, this tomb has become a crime scene. Let's notice what Peter saw in the grave. Observe--
b. Peter “seeth the linen cloths lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but wrapped together in a place by itself,” John 20:6-7; Luke 24:12.
1) First, he seeth the linen cloths. The linen cerecloth, in Gr., is othonion, or o-tho-ne-on, i.e., strips of linen cloths for swathing (wrapping) the dead. The grave clothing tells the onlooker a different story. First, it is still within the tomb; second, it was utterly undisturbed; and third, the body of Jesus was not in the grave.
a) However, the linen cloth that had once wrapped the body of Jesus was still lying within the place where the Lord had once laid, Matthew 28:5-7. The linen cloth is the only thing untouched in the tomb.
b) The Gr., word lie or lay in this text is keimai or ki'-mahee, which means to lie outstretched: —to be laid up, made, sit, lay, to lie or set a thing in any place (i.e., the body of Jesus in the tomb). The angel said to the women: “He is not here for He is risen, as he said, Come see the place where the Lord lay,” Matthew 28:6; Mark 16:6.
c) The body of Jesus was wrapped with linen cloths and spices and then set in a place within the tomb by Jesus’ disciples Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus, John 19:38-42.
d) The grave clothing was still in its proper place within the sepulcher. The linen cloths were not disturbed, lying outstretched just like they had been laid while wrapped around the body of Jesus. This would not have been the case if these fearful men had stolen the body. There would be no linen cloths or napkins within the tomb (the body, linen cloths, and the napkin would be missing). Peter’s inspection also revealed,
2) Further, the napkin, "that was bound about his head, was not lying with the linen cerecloth,” which the angels had shown to the women.
a) The napkin, Gr., soudarion, or su-da-re-on, i.e., a handkerchief, napkin, that was bound about his face was wrapped together in a place by itself in the tomb.
b) The napkin, wrapped together, in Gr., is entylisso or en-tu-les-so, i.e., to twist, entwine, to roll, or wind up; wrap in (together), John 20:7; Luke 23:53; Matthew 27:59. This napkin was placed carefully in a place in the tomb, all by itself.
c) John depicts that during His resurrection, Jesus’ body “passed through the pieces” of the linen cerecloth wrapped around Him, as was the custom of the Jews' burial. All the grave clothing was left behind in its place except the napkin or linen cloth that was once wrapped about His face.
3) Finally, only John tells us of these facts surrounding the resurrection. John also tells us that the soldiers divided Jesus’ garments into four parts but did not divide His seamless coat, John 19:23. These things did the soldiers, “that the scriptures might be fulfilled,” John 19:24; Luke 24:44-47.
4. Jesus appears unto Mary, John 20:11-18.
5. Jesus appears unto the disciples. They beheld His hands and side, John 20:19-29. His appearance unto them behind closed doors lets us see what happened at the gravesite. Notice:
a. Jesus’ body “pervaded, or passed through the pieces of linen cerecloth.” He then placed the “napkin wrapped about his face, carefully in a place all by itself.” He then passed through the walls of the tomb in a glorified body.
b. Beloved, the stone was rolled away, not to let Him out, but to let the women and the disciples into the tomb. Some argue that the women went to the wrong tomb.
ILLUSTRATION: The woman who went to the wrong tomb. They were confused regarding the burial site of the body of Jesus. After all, it was early in the morning. But let’s analyze their argument. Consider--
c. The passing of Jesus through the tomb walls was possible because of His glorified body, Philippians 3:20-21.
ILLUSTRATION: The resurrected body of Jesus, 1 Corinthians 15:42-58.
6. Grand conclusion: The evidence within the tomb makes it abundantly clear that Jesus was raised from the dead, as He had promised, Matthew 16:21; Luke 24:6-7.
a. The linen cerecloth and napkin, still lying in their original place, should settle whether the “body of Jesus was stolen.”
b. If the disciples did steal the body, it would have required them to remove all the grave clothing, for the linen cloths and the napkin were still in the tomb.
c. Fear and time would not have permitted the disciples, while stealing the body, to unwrap it and neatly lay the grave clothing in the tomb.
d. The resurrection of the body of Christ is a defensible fact, and anyone who would report that the disciples stole the Lord’s body did not examine the evidence left in the tomb.
e. The account that the disciples stole the body is a lie created by the Jewish Council and has no merit when one considers the evidence that remained within the tomb and was seen by the angels, the women, and the disciples. As I begin to close, let me review quickly what we have considered in this lesson.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Covenant (with Abram) of Promise
2. The Continuing (Unchangeable) Priesthood
3. The Cerecloth (Linen Wrap) Pervaded
B. Remarks.
1. First, we discussed God's covenant promise with Abram in His passing through the pieces during their covenant agreement. A sacrifice needed to be prepared that would be sufficient for the God of heaven to confirm His promises to Abram, that through “his seed shall all the nations of the earth would be blessed,” by Jesus Christ. Who is the “promised seed of Abraham”; that is, “the Gentiles should be fellow-heirs and of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ by the gospel,” Ephesians 3:6.
3. Second, we described Christ’s setting up His continuing (unchanging) priesthood that resulted when He passed through the temple veil, which was “rent from top to bottom,” at His death on the cross. The removal of this veil set up the continuing (unchanging) priesthood of Christ as our High Priest, “whoever liveth to make intercession for us,” Hebrews 7:25. The death and resurrection of Christ made it possible through heaven’s intervention to allow for us “human intercession;” “into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He hath consecrated for us; through the veil, that is to say, His flesh,” Hebrews 10:19-21.
4. Lastly, we investigated the final thought “in the passing through the pieces,” that is, Jesus’ pervading through the cerecloth (linen wrap), bound around His body, the day of His resurrection from the dead. We affirmed in this statement that the tomb was not open to let Jesus out but to allow us to go in and inspect the place where His body once lay. The assessment of the tomb establishes that Jesus was raised from the dead, and the disciples did not steal the body; the Roman Officials reported it, and many today deny John’s account of the “resurrection of Christ,” John 19:40; John 20:4-7.
C. Invitation, H, B, R, C, B.
D. Motivation.
E. Persuade.
Commendations
I submit this verse unto you that I may: “Render therefore to all their dues: tributes to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; and honor to whom honor, (is due),” Romans 13:7. I acknowledge my consultation with these distinguished authors in this lesson.
References
1. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Bible, by Matthew Henry, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, Grand Rapids, MI, 1706.
2. The People's New Testament, by B. W. Johnson, Christian Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI, 1891.
3. The New Greek-English Interlinear New Testament; United Bible Societies,’ Fourth, Corrected Edition, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL, 1990.
4. Textus Receptus, taken from the Greek Text of Stephens 1550, The Englishman’s Greek New Testament, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan, First Zondervan Printing, 1970.
5. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, by W. E. Vine, Fleming H. Revell Company, Old Tappan, NJ, Copyright, 1981.
Contact Information
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
wwmcoc@earthlink.net
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Visit and worship with the Church of Christ at Pickensville, AL, every Sunday at 11:00 AM and Wednesday at 6:00 PM. The call-in number is 1-302-202-1110, and the PIN is 214733. These men "know the Shepherd!"
The sermon was updated on 11/11/2024 by Ron Freeman, Evangelist.
