Christ's Burial & Resurrection

INTRODUCTION: Today’s passage follows the account of the Lord’s crucifixion. This is a time of fear, frustration and uncertainty for His followers. Christ’s burial becomes the responsibility of Joseph of Arimathaea, Nicodemus and a few of the women. On the surface, everything appears grim, but the Lord Jesus is alive and working within the heart of the earth. Three days after the crucifixion, some of the women come to anoint His body. They find that the stone has been rolled away and the body is gone. The angel exuberantly declares to them, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.” What a glorious event that changes the world and time forevermore!

I.THE BURIAL OF JESUS CHRIST (John 19:38-42)

A.The Request for and Removal of His Body (John 19:38; Matthew 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-43; Luke 23:50-52)

1.By Joseph of Arimathaea
a.A rich man Matthew 27:57 When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus' disciple:
b.An honourable counselor
c.A man who waited for the Kingdom of God (Mark 15:43)
Mark 15:43 Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counseller, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus.
d.A good man and just (Luke 23:50)
e.A man who had not consented to the counsel and their deeds (Luke 23:51)
Luke 23:50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counseller; and he was a good man, and a just:
51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
f.A disciple of Jesus, though secretly for fear of the Jews (John 19:38) And...