There came a rich man of Arimathaea.
Joseph of Arimathaea
I. The burial of Jesus by Joseph and his friend is an interesting illustration of faith. He accepted the evidence that Jesus was Christ. The popular fury had not affected his faith. Calm and dignified in his faith, he respectfully makes his request to Pilate. When we believe with all the heart we shall not be hindered by great difficulties from professing Christ.
II. In the conduct of Joseph we have an illustration of moral courage and decision of Christian character. It exposed any man to loss of reputation to favour one who was subject to crucifixion.
III. The conduct of Joseph is an illustration of the power which ardent love for Christ has on the life and conduct. Here was the secret of his courage, the hiding of its power. He loved Christ.
IV. The grace of God can prevail over hindrances to faith and Christian zeal in the characters and circumstances of men. It is remarkable that the two men who performed this courageous act were men once timid and cautious. God can place us in circumstances where our faith can suddenly acquire the force of years. We naturally like men at once to declare for Christ, like the morning star which glows in the sun-rising. Some are like St. John, constant from first to last.
V. The reward which Joseph had for his conduct. There in his tomb life and immortality were brought to light. The builder of the Pyramids is not to be compared for fame to the owner of that tomb. Every one of us has his own peculiar opportunity of showing his attachment to Christ. (T. Adams, D. D.)
The burial of Jesus
There has been no time to get a bier, or it is felt that the distance is so short that it is not needed. That body, however, has the best bier of all-the hands of true affection to lift it and carry it across to the new tomb which waits to receive it. The feet let us assign to Joseph, the body to Nicodemus, and that regal head with those closed eyes, over whom the shadows of the resurrection are already flitting, let us lay it on the breast of the beloved disciple John, who, possibly, was present standing with the Galilean women. The last service which Jesus ever needed at the hands of men it has been their privilege to render. For this service shall we not honour them, and forget that they were once secret disciples? Yea, verily; what they thus did for the Lord’s burial shall be told for a memorial of them, wherever this gospel of the kingdom is preached. (Dr. Hanna.)
A remarkable funeral
I. The corpse-It is “the body of Jesus.”
II. The undertaker-”A rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph.”
III. The preparations he made for the burial-He first “begged” the body, etc.
IV. The time of the funeral-Evening.
V. The mourners-No hired ones. (American Horn. Review.)
The burial of Jesus
I. This sepulchre.
1. Its situation-in a garden. Preaching of a new life arising from decay and death. In all human gardens of domestic and social joy, there is death.
2. It was a new tomb. The true consecration of the great world-sepulchre.
3. It was a rich man’s tomb. Jesus has been in many rich men’s homes and hearts since. Yet the aim of “many rich” seems to be, to bury Jesus-fashion, form, etc.
4. Hewn out of a rock. The strength of the tomb collateral proof of genuineness of resurrection.
II. The mourners.
1. Their characters suggestive.
2. Their number very small-a mere handful. More rejoicers than mourners. Very few of the disciples, but He is present at the death of every disciple.
3. Their grief intense. The Magdalene had lost her Saviour; the Virgin her Son; the rest a dear Friend.
III. The interment.
1. Hurried.
2. Costly. More was spent upon Jesus at His burial than at any time before.
3. Vigilance of His enemies; they cannot leave even His sepulchre alone. The seal and the guard. Their unintended testimony to the reality of the resurrection.
Learn:
1. Christ entered the grave to rob it of its gloom.
2. Rejoice in a living Saviour-not hide Him out of sight. (J. C. Gray.)