Up From The Grave He Arose

• Amazingly, they did not even ask for the body of Jesus.

SYMPATHETIC BELIEVERS were also there:

• Probably made up of those whom Jesus had healed,

• Those who had been genuine seekers, the spiritual hungry, who he had shown the way to.

• The sinners and tax collectors

• Who had found a friend and someone who offered them forgiveness.

• They all had come to the cross.

• And when Jesus died, I guess a part of them died too.

• When it was over, they drifted away, clinging to one another;

• And, Luke says, “beating their breasts” - wailing in unrestrained grief.

THE ENIMIES of Jesus were also there:

• The Pharisees and the other religious leaders,

• Maybe those who had lost money when Jesus upturned the tables in the market place.

• Also those people who were disappointed with Jesus,

• Because he refused to over-throw the Romans.

Ill:

• Rembrandt picture of The Three Crosses.

• Self portrait in the crowd, because he was guilty in causing the death of Jesus!

(3). A Believing Council Member (vs 50-53):

50Now there was a man named Joseph, a member of the Council, a good and upright man, 51who 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. 52Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus’ body. 53Then 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.

54It was Preparation Day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.

• Joseph of Arimathea is described as a wealthy man,

• And a devout Jew. He is described as a good and righteous, person, a man of integrity.

• He believed that the Jewish council,

• The Sanhedrin had acted wrongly in condemning Jesus.

• How much he spoke up for Jesus previously, we do not know,

• But he speaks up for him here in verse 52.

Bravely Joseph decided to ask for the body of Jesus; and surprisingly he was allowed to claim it.

• It was a brave act because as a Jewish leader he put his reputation,

• His occupation, possibly his life on the line.

• John in his gospel tells us that Nicodemus;

• Who was also a member of the Jewish Council called the Sanhedrin;

• He supported and helped Joseph in the difficult task of burying the body of Jesus.

• (John chapter 19 verses 38-42)

Ill:

Jewish custom dictated the proper procedure.

• [The body was] usually washed and straightened and then;

• Bandaged tightly from the armpits to the ankles in strips of linen about a foot wide.

• Aromatic spices, often of a gummy consistency,

• Were placed between the wrappings or folds.

• They served partially as a preservative;

• And partially as a cement to glue the cloth wrappings into a solid covering.

When the body was thus encased,

• A square piece of cloth was wrapped around the head;

• And tied under the chin to keep the lower jaw from sagging.

Tenderly and solemnly, Joseph and Nicodemus these two friends of Jesus:

• Prepared His body.

• But they had to move quickly, for the sun was setting. The Sabbath was at hand.

• The Jewish Sabbath started at 6p.m. after that time all work became illegal.