STORY OF JESUS -7

In Joseph's Tomb 

      Treason against the Roman government was the crime for which the Saviour was condemned. Persons put to death for this cause were buried in a place set apart for such criminals.

      John shuddered at the thought of having the body of his beloved Master handled by the unfeeling soldiers, and buried in a dishonored grave. But he saw no way to prevent it, as he had no influence with Pilate.

      At this trying time, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea came to the help of the disciples. Both of these men were members of the Sanhedrin, and were acquainted with Pilate. Both were men of wealth and influence. They were determined that the Saviour's body should have an honorable burial.

      Joseph went boldly to Pilate, and begged from him the body of Jesus. Pilate, after learning that Christ was really dead, granted this request.

      While Joseph was gone to Pilate for the Saviour's body, Nicodemus was making ready for the burial. It was the custom in those times to wrap the bodies of the dead in linen cloths, with precious ointments and sweet spices. This was one method of embalming. So Nicodemus brought a costly gift of about a hundred pounds' weight of myrrh and aloes for the body of Jesus.

      The most honored in all Jerusalem could not have been shown more respect in death. The humble followers of Jesus were astonished to see these wealthy rulers taking such an interest in the burial of their Master.

      The disciples were overwhelmed with sorrow at the death of Christ. They forgot that He had told them it was to take place. They were without hope. Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus had openly accepted the Saviour while He was living. But they had listened to His teachings, and had closely watched every step of His ministry. Although the disciples had forgotten the Saviour's words foretelling His death, Joseph and Nicodemus remembered them well. And the scenes connected with the death of Jesus, which disheartened the disciples, and shook their faith, only proved to these rulers that He was the true Messiah, and led them to take their stand firmly as believers in Him.

      The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at this time. They could do for their dead Master what it was impossible for the poor disciples to do.

      Gently and reverently they, with their own hands, removed the body of Christ from the cross. Their tears of sympathy fell fast, as they looked upon His bruised and torn form.

      Joseph owned a new tomb hewn in a rock. He had built it for his own use; but he now prepared it for Jesus. The body, together with the spices brought by Nicodemus, was wrapped in a linen sheet, and the Redeemer was borne to the tomb.

      Although the Jewish rulers had succeeded in putting Christ to death, they could not rest easy. They well knew of His mighty power.

      Some of them had stood by the grave of Lazarus, and had seen the dead brought back to life, and they trembled for fear that Christ would Himself rise from the dead, and again appear before them.

      They had heard Him say to the multitude that He had power to lay down His life and to take it again.

      They remembered that He had said, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19), and they knew that He was speaking of His own body.

      Judas had told them that Christ had said to His disciples on their last journey to Jerusalem:

      "Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be betrayed unto the chief priests and unto the scribes, and they shall condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify Him: and the third day He shall rise again." Matthew 20:18, 19.

      They now remembered many things He had spoken which foretold His resurrection. They could not forget these things, however much they desired to do so. Like their father, the devil, they believed and trembled.

      Everything declared to them that Jesus was the Son of God. They could not sleep, for they were more troubled about Him in death than they had been during His life.

      Bent on doing all they could to keep Him in the grave, they asked Pilate to have the tomb sealed and guarded until the third day. Pilate placed a band of soldiers at the command of the priests, and said:

      "Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulcher sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch." Matthew 27:65, 66.

He Is Risen

      The greatest care had been taken to guard the Saviour's tomb, and the entrance had been closed with a great stone. Upon this stone the Roman seal had been placed in such a way that the stone could not be moved without breaking the seal.

      Around the tomb was the guard of Roman soldiers. They were to keep strict watch, that the body of Jesus might not be molested. Some of them were constantly pacing to and fro before the tomb, while the others rested on the ground near by.

      But there was another guard around that tomb. Mighty angels from Heaven were there. Any one of this angel guard, by putting forth his power, could have stricken down the whole Roman army.

      The night preceding the morning of the first day of the week has worn slowly away, and the darkest hour, just before daybreak, has come.

      One of the most powerful angels is sent from Heaven. His countenance is like lightning, and his garments white as snow. He parts the darkness from his track, and the whole heavens are lighted with his glory.

      The sleeping soldiers awake, and start to their feet. With awe and wonder they gaze at the open heavens, and the vision of brightness which is nearing them.

      The earth trembles and heaves as that powerful being from another world approaches. He is coming on a joyful errand, and the speed and power of his flight shake the world like a mighty earthquake. Soldiers, officers, and sentinels fall as dead men to the ground.

      There had been still another guard about the Saviour's tomb. Evil angels were there. Because the Son of God had fallen in death, His body was even then claimed as the prey of him who has the power of death--the devil.

      The angels of Satan were present to see that no power should take Jesus from their grasp. But as the mighty being sent from the throne of God approached, they fled in terror from the scene.

      The angel laid hold of the great stone at the mouth of the tomb, and rolled it away, as if it had been but a pebble. Then with a voice that caused the earth to tremble, he cried:

      "Jesus, Thou Son of God, come forth. Thy Father calls Thee!"

      Then He who had earned the power over death and the grave came forth from the tomb. Above the rent sepulcher He proclaimed, "I am the resurrection, and the life." And the angel host bowed low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcomed Him with songs of praise.

      Jesus came forth with the tread of a conqueror. At His presence the earth reeled, the lightning flashed, and the thunder rolled.

      An earthquake marked the hour when Christ laid down His life. An earthquake also witnessed the moment when He took it up in triumph.

      Satan was bitterly angry that his angels had fled at the approach of the heavenly messengers. He had dared to hope that Christ would not take up His life again, and that the plan of redemption was to fail. But as he saw the Saviour come forth from the tomb in triumph, all hope was lost. Satan now knew that his kingdom would have an end, and that he must finally be destroyed.

Go Tell My Disciples 

      Luke, in his account of the Saviour's burial, speaks of the women who were with Him at His crucifixion, and says:

      "They returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment." Luke 23:56.

      The Saviour was buried on Friday, the sixth day of the week. The women prepared spices and ointments with which to embalm their Lord, and laid them aside, until the Sabbath was past. Not even the work of embalming the body of Jesus would they do upon the Sabbath day.

      "And when the Sabbath was past, . . . very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulcher at the rising of the sun." Mark 16:1, 2.

      As they neared the garden, they were surprised to see the heavens beautifully lighted up, and to feel the earth trembling beneath their feet. They hastened to the tomb, and were still more astonished to find that the stone was rolled away, and that the Roman guard was not there.

      Mary Magdalene had been the first to reach the place. Seeing that the stone was removed, she hurried away to tell the disciples. When the other women came up, they noticed a light shining about the tomb, and looking in, saw that it was empty.

      As they lingered about the place, they suddenly beheld a young man in shining garments sitting by the tomb. It was the angel who had rolled away the stone. In fear they turned to flee, but the angel said:

      "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

      "And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him." Matthew 28:5-7.

      As the women looked again into the tomb, they saw another shining angel, who inquired of them:

      "Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." Luke 24:5-7.

      The angels then explained the death and resurrection of Christ. They reminded the women of the words that Christ Himself had spoken, in which He had told beforehand of His crucifixion and His resurrection. These words of Jesus were now plain to them, and with fresh hope and courage they hastened away to tell the glad news.

      Mary had been absent during this scene, but now returned with Peter and John. When they went back to Jerusalem, she stayed at the tomb. She could not bear to leave until she should learn what had become of the body of her Lord. As she stood weeping, she heard a voice which asked:

      "Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou?"

      Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not notice who it was that spoke to her. She thought it might be the gardener and said to him pleadingly:

      "Sir, if thou have borne Him hence, tell me where thou hast laid Him, and I will take Him away."

      She thought that if this rich man's tomb was considered too honorable a place for her Lord, she herself would provide a place for Him. But now the voice of Christ Himself fell upon her ears. He said:

      "Mary."

      Her tears were quickly brushed away, and she beheld the Saviour. Forgetting, in her joy, that He had been crucified, she stretched forth her hands to Him, saying:

      "Rabboni" (Master).

      Jesus then said, "Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God." John 20:15-17.

      Jesus refused to receive the homage of His people until He should know that His sacrifice had been accepted by the Father. He ascended to the heavenly courts, and from God Himself heard the assurance that His atonement for the sins of men had been ample, and through His blood all might gain eternal life.

      All power in Heaven and on earth was given to the Prince of Life, and He returned to His followers in a world of sin, that He might impart to them His power and glory.

Witnesses 

      Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two of the disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem.

      They were perplexed over the events that had recently taken place, and especially concerning the reports of the women who had seen the angels, and had met Jesus after His resurrection.

      They were now returning to their home, to meditate and pray, in hope of gaining some light in regard to those matters which were so dark to them.

      As they journeyed, a stranger came up and went with them; but they were so busy with their conversation that they hardly notice His presence.

      These strong men were so burdened with grief that they wept as they traveled along. Christ's pitying heart of love saw here a sorrow which He could comfort.

      Disguised as a stranger, He began to talk with them. "But their eyes were holden that they should not know Him. And He said unto them, "What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

      "And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto Him,

      "Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

      "And He said unto them, What things? And they said unto Him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people." Luke 24:16-19.

      They then told what had taken place, and repeated the report brought by the women who had been at the tomb early that same morning. Then He said:

      "O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into His glory?

      "And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:25-27.

      The disciples were silent from amazement and delight. They did not venture to ask the stranger who He was. They listened eagerly as He explained to them Christ's mission.

      Had the Saviour first made Himself known to the disciples, they would have been satisfied. In the fullness of their joy they would have desired nothing more. But it was necessary for them to understand how His mission had been foretold by all the types and prophecies of the Old Testament. Upon these their faith must be established. Christ performed no miracle to convince them, but it was His first work to explain the Scriptures. They had looked upon His death as the destruction of all their hopes. Now He showed from the prophets that this was the very strongest evidence for their faith.

      In teaching these disciples, Christ showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many now reject the Old Testament, claiming that it is no longer of any use. But such is not Christ's teaching. So highly did He value it, that at one time He said, "If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead." Luke 16:31.

      As the sun was setting, the disciples reached their home. Jesus "made as though He would have gone further." But the disciples could not bear to part from the One who had brought them such joy and hope.

      So they said to Him, "Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And He went in to tarry with them." Luke 24:28,29.

      The simple evening meal was soon ready, and Christ took His place at the head of the table, as His custom was.

      It was usually the duty of the head of the family to ask a blessing upon the food; but Christ placed His hands upon the bread and blessed it. And the eyes of the disciples were opened.

      The act of blessing the food, the sound of the now familiar voice, the prints of the nails in His hands, all proclaimed Him their beloved Master.

      For a moment they sat spellbound; then they arose to fall at His feet and worship Him; but He suddenly disappeared.

      In their joy they forgot their hunger and weariness. They left the meal untasted, and hastened back to Jerusalem with the precious message of a risen Saviour.

      As they were relating these things to the disciples, Christ Himself stood among them, and, with hands uplifted in blessing, said: "Peace be unto you." Luke 24:36.

      At first they were frightened; but when He had shown them the prints of the nails in His hands and feet, and had eaten before them, they believed and were comforted. Faith and joy now took the place of unbelief, and with feelings which no words could express, they acknowledged their risen Saviour.

      At this meeting, Thomas was not with them. He refused to believe the reports in regard to the resurrection. But after eight days Jesus appeared to the disciples when Thomas was present.

      On this occasion He again showed in His hands and feet the marks of the crucifixion. Thomas was at once convinced, and cried, "My Lord and my God." John 20:28.

      In the upper chamber, Christ again explained the Scriptures concerning Himself. Then He told His disciples that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

      Before His ascension to Heaven, He said to them, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." "And, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world." Acts. 1:8; Matthew 28:20.

      You have been witnesses, He said, of My life of self-sacrifice in behalf of the world. You have seen that all who come to Me, confessing their sins, I freely receive. All who will, may be reconciled to God, and have everlasting life.

      To you, My disciples, I commit this message of mercy. It is to be given to all nations, tongues, and peoples.

      Go to the farthest part of the habitable globe; but know that My presence will be there.

      The Saviour's commission to the disciples included all the believers to the end of time.

      Not all can preach to congregations; but all can minister to individuals. Those minister who receive the suffering, who help the needy, who comfort the sorrowing, and who tell the sinner of Christ's pardoning love. These are Christ's witnesses.