The Garden Tomb 

• 1^st – New Covenant… vs. 57
  • 1^st – One Day… vs. 57
    • Thursday…
      • For Jews – days are counted from SUNDOWN to SUNDOWN – Genesis 1:5
      • The LAST supper took place on Wednesday night – which began the PASSOVER [14 of Nisan]
      • The BETRAYAL of Jesus in the Garden – occurred LATE that night…
      • The TRIALS of Jesus were from around MIDNIGHT until 6am [Thursday]
      • Jesus was CRUCIFIED at 9am – and died at 3pm [before sundown]
      • Meaning ALL of these events took place on the PASSOVER – in ONE day [evening to evening]
    • The Sabbath…
      • Now when evening had come!
      • Evening on THURSDAY – would have been the start of a NEW day [Friday]
      • The day after PASSOVER – was a special SABBATH day [no work] – Leviticus 23:7
      • Therefore – Jesus was crucified the day BEFORE the SABBATH – Mark 15:42
      • Every year we remember the CRUCIFIXION of Jesus on Good FRIDAY…
      • The ASSUMPTION is that since Jesus died the day BEFORE the SABBATH…
      • And for the Jews the SABBATH is always on a SATURDAY…
      • Jesus must therefore have been CRUCIFIED on a FRIDAY…
      • But they FORGET that there were TWO sabbath days that week [Friday and Saturday]
      • Just because something is TRADITION – and we have always been told it is TRUE…
      • Does NOT mean that it is correct – we need to go back to the BIBLE!
    • No more sin…
      • The day AFTER the PASSOVER has another name…
      • It is called the Feast of UNLEAVENED bread – Leviticus 23:6
      • SEVEN day feast that looked back at how God rescued Israel from the bondage of Egypt…
      • The Jews had to leave so FAST – their BREAD did NOT have time to rise – Exodus 12:39
      • Therefore – for SEVEN days they were NOT to eat any LEAVEN!
      • Leaven in the Bible is a PICTURE of SIN – Galatians 5:9
      • It is NOT accidental that IMMEDIATELY after the death of Jesus – UNLEAVENED bread…
      • Jesus had ONE reason for coming – He came to take away our SIN…
      • And with His death we became UNLEAVENED – we were set FREE!
  • 2^nd – Blood and Water…
    • Broken legs…
      • John 19:31 – “Therefore because it was the Preparation Day that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath… the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken.”
      • The special SABBATH would start at SUNDOWN – and NO work could be done…
      • So the leaders asked Pilate to BREAK the legs of the condemned!
      • Unable to push up on broken legs – the men would suffocate within minutes…
      • So with a large mallet the soldiers broke the FEMUR bones of the TWO thieves!
    • Unbroken…
      • John 19:33 – “Jesus… was already dead – they did not break His legs.”
      • It was forbidden for the Jews to BREAK the bones of a PASSOVER lamb – Exodus 12:46
      • Therefore – Jesus who is the Lamb of God – could not be BROKEN…
      • No man was allowed to TAKE His life – He had to offer it FREELY!
      • Psalm 34:20 – “He protects all his bones – not one of them will be broken.” [NIV]
    • Pierced…
      • John 19:34 – “One of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear – and immediately blood and water came out.”
      • To make sure Jesus was DEAD – one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear…
      • BLOOD and WATER immediately flowed out of the wound…
      • The trauma of the crucifixion had caused a BLISTER for form around Jesus heart…
      • When the spear PIERCED Him – it BURST causing the BLOOD and WATER to come out!
      • Hebrews 9:19 – “Moses… took the blood [and] water and sprinkled… law and all the people.”
      • When Moses established the OLD Covenant with Israel – he sealed it in blood and water…
      • But the Old Covenant had a problem – we could NOT keep the Law – Romans 3:20
      • Therefore – Jesus sealed a NEW and better Covenant in His BLOOD and WATER!
      • The NEW covenant is NO longer based on what we have to DO – but what God DID for us…
      • Now though the power of His SPIRIT – we can have a change our heart…
      • Jesus changes our desires so we do NOT want to SIN…
      • Instead we WANT to do those things that PLEASE the Lord!

• 2^nd– Standing up… vs. 57-61
  • 1^st – Rich man… vs. 57-58
    • Afraid… vs. 57
      • There came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph who had become a disciple of Jesus!
      • Joseph of Arimathea is mentioned in all FOUR Gospels…
      • He was from a HILL [רָמָה] town [hill] in region of Judea…
      • Some connect to the same city [רָמָה] the prophet Samuel was born in – I Samuel 1:19
      • He was an important member of the Sanhedrin – Mark 15:43
      • And a WEALTHY man – he had his own tomb carved out of solid rock…
      • But Joseph was also a SECRET [κρύπτω] disciple of Jesus [afraid] – John 19:38
      • He had NOT condoned the crucifixion – but NEITHER had he condemned it – Luke 23:51
      • If someone stood by and watched as we were being attacked…
      • And they pointed out they did NOT attack – that does NOT make them our friend…
      • It is NOT enough to stand by – a true friend stands up for us!
      • I fear people are like Joseph – they are SECRET disciples of Jesus…
      • They believe in Jesus – but when they are in the world they HIDE our faith…
      • They try to BLEND in because they are AFRAID of what will happen if they take a stand!
      • James 4:4 – “Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God.”
    • Risking it all… vs. 58
      • This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 
      • Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.
      • After the DEATH of Jesus – Joseph came to ask PILATE for the body…
      • It would have been a GREAT risk for Joseph to PUBLICLY stand for Jesus…
      • It would have endangered his POSTIION – his FORTUNE – even his LIFE…
      • Joseph had NOT stood up for Jesus at the trial – but he did stand NOW…
      • We are NOT told what caused the CHANGE of heart…
      • But what is important – is it is NEVER too late to choose to STAND!
      • When God commanded King Saul to wipe out the Amalekites…
      • He was told to NOT to take any spoil – NO money – NO animals…
      • But Saul DISOBEYED the LORD – and took MONEY and ANIMALS!
      • I Samuel 15:24 – “[Because Saul] feared the people and obeyed their voice.”
      • No one likes to stand OUT – we do NOT want to cause any TROUBLE…
      • But when it comes to Jesus – we have to make a CHOICE…
      • Who do we want to PLEASE – the people around us or God…
      • The good news is – it is NEVER too late to CHOSE to STAND up for Jesus!
      • Galatians 1:10 – “If I were still trying to please man I would not be a servant of Christ.” [ESV
    • Not alone…
      • John 19:39 – “Nicodemus who at first came to Jesus by night – also came.”
      • Nicodemus was a ruler of the Jews [also rich] who SECRETLY believed in Jesus…
      • He had come to Jesus as NIGHT [so not to be seen] asking how to be saved – John 3:2
      • Jesus had given him the famous words – John 3:16
      • Now because of the BOLDNESS of Joseph – Nicodemus also stood up for Christ!
      • So often we just go along with what EVERYONE else is doing…
      • Even if we know it is WRONG – we assume we are just ONE person – what can we do…
      • But it only takes ONE to STAND – then others will BOLD for Jesus too!
  • 2^nd – The Tomb… vs. 59-61
    • The burial… vs. 59
      • When Joseph had taken the body he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth!
      • Joseph TOOK the body of Jesus – and WRAPPED it in CLEAN [καθαρός] cloth…
      • And added FRAGRANT spices to take away the ODOR [decay] – John 19:39
      • But because of the TWO sabbath days [Friday and Saturday] – no work allowed…
      • The WOMEN planned to come back on SUNDAY to finish the job – Luke 24:1
    • The prophecy… vs. 60
      • And laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock.
      • And he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed!
      • They put Jesus in a NEW tomb – presumably built for Joseph of Arimathea…
      • Much like RICH families today – he had private MAUSOLEUM – carved out of the rock…
      • They rolled a HUGE [μέγας] stone over the entrance – and MOST went home!
      • In Jerusalem on north side of the city – there is a hill that looks like a skull…
      • Outside the old city walls – right next to the main road…
      • To the left of the hill there is a very old garden from the time of Jesus…
      • In that garden there is a tomb that has been cut right out of the rock – John 19:41
      • This is where many believe Jesus was buried – in a rich grave!
      • Isaiah 53:9 – “He was buried like a criminal. He was put in a rich mans grave.”
        
    • Waiting… vs. 61
      • Mary Magdalene was there – and the other Mary – sitting opposite the tomb!
      • There were TWO women who did NOT leave…
      • Mary Magdalene [Jesus cast SEVEN demons out of her] – Luke 8:2
      • Mary the mother of Joses [James son of Alpheus] – Mark 15:47
      • They were there [imperfect] – sitting [present] opposite the TOMB…
      • One might assume that it was out of GRIEF over the LOSS of the Lord…
      • But perhaps it was out of HOPE – the GRAVE was not the END!
      • I Thessalonians 4:13 – “I do not want you to be ignorant brethren – concerning those who have fallen asleep.”
      • I remember when my Dad went home to be with the Lord…
      • He moved here to the Philippines so we could take care of him in his last days…
      • And when he fell ASLEEP – we had several days of celebration at the church…
      • People came to comfort us – and we amazed that we were full of such JOY…
      • Not because Dad was ASLEEP – but because he was HOME – he was with Jesus!
      • As CHRISTIANS we have a very DIFFERENT view of death than the world…
      • They stare at a TOMB and are filled with SORROW over their LOSS…
      • We look at the TOMB and are filled with HOPE – because we know death is NOT the end…
      • A BELIEVERS we NEVER have to say goodbye – we know we will see our loves ones again!

• 3^rd – Three days… vs. 62-66
  • 1^st – The Promise… vs. 62-63
    • The Sabbath… vs. 62
      • On the next day – which followed the Day of Preparation.
      • The NEXT day would be FRIDAY – likely in the MORNING…
      • This was the beginning of the Feast of UNLEAVENED bread [15 Nisan]
      • Because there were TWO Sabbath days in a row [Friday and Saturday]
      • They Jews used the PASSOVER to prepare for these TWO days of rest [no work allowed]!
    • Remember… vs. 62-63
      • The chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate Saying: 
      • Sir we remember while He was still alive how that deceiver said: After three days I will rise!
      • The PRIESTS and PHARISEES – came to Pilate whom they called Lord [κύριος]
      • They REMEMBERED [passive] what the DECEIVER [πλάνος] said while still alive…
      • Jesus told them after THREE days – He would be RESURRECTED [indicative]!
      • Having been asked for a sign – Jesus gave these leaders the sign of Jonah – Matthew 12:40
      • THREE days and THREE nights in earth – speaking of His death and resurrection…
      • It was FAR from a CLEAR statement – but they had UNDERSTOOD what He meant!
      • We often mistakenly assume that they world does NOT understand…
      • But the truth is that they do – they KNOW the TRUTH…
      • That is why they are terrified of DEATH – because they KNOW the JUDGMENT is coming…
      • They know because the Holy Spirit it constantly warning them!
      • John 16:18 – “[The Spirit] convict[s] the world of sin – righteousness – and of judgment.”
    • Forgotten…
      • Mark 8:31 – “The Son of Man must… be killed – and after three days rise again.”
      • Jesus did NOT speak in vague references to His DISCIPLES…
      • Jesus made it very clear He would be crucified – and on the THIRD day rise again…
      • But the disciples forgot the word of God – because they were focused on what they could see!
        
      • It would be easy to be HARD on the disciples – but we are NO different…
      • We also have a tendency to FORGET what God has said…
      • We get caught up in our circumstances – only looking at what we can SEE…
      • We lack MONEY – we are SICK – struggle with a hard MARRIAGE…
      • We focus on the PROBLEMS – and forget the PROMISES Jesus has given to us…
      • What we need to do is spend time with the Lord – KNOW [ἐπίγνωσις] Him…
      • When we do we will FORGET all our PROBLEMS – as we see Him!
      • II Peter 1:3-4 – “Through the knowledge of Him [we] have been given… exceedingly great and precious promises!”
  • 3^rd – Sealed… vs. 64-66
    • Stolen Body… vs. 64
      • Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day.
      • Lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away and say to the people:
      • He has risen from the dead. So the last deception will be worse than the first!
      • Therefore – SINCE Jesus said He would RISE on the THIRD day…
      • Pilate MUST [imperative] seal the TOMB until then…
      • NOT that these leaders believed Jesus would RISE from the dead…
      • They were AFRAID the disciples might [subjuntive] come and STEAL the body…
      • So that they could [subjuntive] claim that Jesus was RISEN…
      • If that happened – then there would be NO stopping the DAMAGE…
      • They saw the danger in Jesus body DISAPPEARING – people would BELIEVE…
      • But with Jesus in the tomb – He was just a DEAD criminal – NOT a RISEN Lord!
    • The Guard… vs. 65-66
      • Pilate said to them: You have a guard. Go your way make it as secure as you know how.
      • So they went and made the tomb secure sealing the stone and setting the guard!
      • Pilate said [imperfect] – you have a GUARD…
      • GUARD [κουστωδία] – where we get the word CUSTODIAN…
      • Most likely a group of between FOUR [minimum] and SIXTEEN [unit] Romans soldiers…
      • The Jewish leaders were commanded [imperative] to make the tomb SECURE…
      • SECURE [ἀσφαλίζω] – a SEAL placed on the TOMB – know if it was tampered with…
      • They did everything they could to guarantee Jesus was NOT coming out!
      • But Jesus is RISEN – and there were MANY witnesses…
      • He was seen by the ELEVEN disciples – Luke 24:36
      • By 500 when He went up to Galilee after His resurrection – Matthew 28:16
      • James the brother of Jesus – a meeting recorded by Paul – I Corinthians 15:7
      • Then by all the Apostles at His ascension into heaven – Acts 1:14
      • The GOOD news is NOT just hat Jesus died – it is also the resurrection…
      • The grave could NOT hold Him – Roman guards could NOT keep Him…
      • The stone could NOT stop Him – we believe in a RISEN GOD!

I Corinthians 15:4 – “[Jesus] was buried and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”