SATURDAY April 11, 2020
The Garden Tomb
Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.
Matthew 27:57
Among the 71 governing leaders of the Sanhedrin, there were 2 secret disciples of Jesus Christ––Nicodemus, who secretly came to Jesus by night (John 3), and Joseph of Arimathea, a very wealthy, rich man. Together, they would bury the body of Jesus. In doing so, they knew their career was probably over. Those in the Sanhedrin would know Jesus had gained 2 converts from among them. Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea would be rejected by the rulers of the Jews, but accepted by Christ.
Pilate released the body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathea. On the way, Joseph was joined by Nicodemus, and they took the crucified body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the expensive spices, and Joseph placed it into his own garden tomb. The custom of the Jews was that a body should be buried the same day of a person’s death (John 19:38-42), and as the Preparation Day was approaching, they were able to place the body of Jesus in the tomb quickly. The Jews in Israel still bury a person on the same day of their death––even to the present time.
When we go to Israel, one of the last things we do on the trip is to visit what many believe is the tomb of Jesus. As you go into the garden, there to the left is the tomb of Jesus. I always like to sit and watch people’s reactions as they go into the tomb and then leave. Some people weep silently. Then we have a time of communion together. It is a very emotional communion service, and this place concludes our trip. It is amazing to know and see the places where Jesus walked and where He ministered. As people open their Bibles, they can say, “I was there.” Seriously, you have got to go to Israel!
Jesus, after he had finished his work, slept in a costly grave; for now his Father loved and honored him, since his work was done.
~C.H. Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!