Jesus
was buried
Not
only did the sinless Son of God experience excruciating torment at
the hands of sinful men, anguish both in body and soul, but he died.
The humanity of the God Man expired; perished. Jesus died
physically. This was the plan all along, to die in the place of his
sheep. The wages of sin is death and Jesus received our payoff; he
got our earnings.
This
is fascinating for a number of reasons. Christ is God. The Son, the
second Person in the Trinity, humbled himself, took on flesh, and
died a horrendous death. He was tried and crucified as a criminal.
Jesus, who obeyed the law perfectly, was found guilty. Who can
fathom the infinite condescension of the Son? Oh, the humility; the
shame and grief he endured. Who can know it? Also, after he died,
Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb. The King of all kings bled and
died and then was placed in a hole. He was buried. This is what
happens to men when they die. But, Jesus was different. He did not
just die, he was sacrificed. He gave his life so sinners could live.
His burial is likewise significant because it was a fulfillment of
prophecy. It was all according to God’s sovereign plan.
“For
I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he
was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with
the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve”
(1 Cor. 15:3-5). “And Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and
yielded up his spirit... And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a
clean linen shroud and laid it in his own tomb, which he had cut in
the rock” (Matt. 27:50, 59-60). “And they made his brave with
the wicked and with a rich man in his death, although he had done no
violence, and there was no deceit in his mouth” (Is. 53:9).
Jesus
was resurrected
The
death of Christ is most remarkable because of who he is and where he
came from and what he accomplished. But, if we were to stop with the
death of Christ, as epochal as it was, and not proceed further then
we are to be pitied. Why? His death was only one aspect of the
salvation that he secured for us. We are saved by his life. If he
remained dead then how can he save? What about his predictions to
rise? What of God vindicating himself? What about his going to
prepare a place and come again?
The
resurrection of the crucified Savior is fundamental to the gospel;
there can be no good news without it. Jesus was raised bodily from
the dead on the third day. He conquered sin, Satan, death, and the
grave. And now he lives to give life to his elect and intercede on
their behalf. He died in our place to atone for sin and satisfy the
righteous judgment of the Father. But, he was raised to life again
because he is the Lord of Life. He could not stay dead.
Jesus
was “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit
of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). He “was
delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification”
(Rom. 4:25). Salvation hinges on Christ’s resurrection. “If you
confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart
that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9).
This
was part of what Paul delivered which he described as “of first
importance.” It was nothing less than, “Christ died for our
sins... that he was buried, that he was raised on the third...” (1
Cor. 15:3-4). “God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death,
because it was not possible for him to be held by it” (Acts 2:24).
“But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he appeared to
those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now
his witnesses to the people. And we bring you the good news that
what God promised to the fathers, this he has fulfilled to us their
children by raising Jesus” (Acts 13:30-33).
The
resurrection of Christ proved that he paid the price for sin. His
sacrifice was validated by him rising from the grave. It is in
Christ that we “have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Col.
1:14). “In him we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of our trespasses” (Eph. 1:7). “He was wounded for
our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities” (Is. 53:5).
“He himself bore our sins in his body” (1 Pet. 2:24). Christ was
“offered once to bear the sins of many” (Heb. 9:28). “If
Christ has not been raised... you are still in your sins” (1 Cor.
15:17) The assumption is that since Christ has been raised those who
trust him are no longer in their sins.
Sin,
death, and Satan were defeated when Christ was resurrected. “Since
therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise
partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the
one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14).
Jesus “abolished death and brought life” (2 Tim. 1:10). “He
shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15).
This of course refers to Jesus conquering Satan with his death; the
very thing Satan was instrumental in thinking that he vanquished
Christ.
Because
Jesus rose from the dead, he lives and intercedes on the behalf of
his children. We serve a living Savior. He hears us, strengthens
us, guides us, uses us, blesses us, chastises us, protects us,
perfects us, represents us, loves us, etc. “Who is to condemn?
Christ Jesus is the one who died- more than that, who was raised- who
is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us”
(Rom. 8:34). Jesus “always lives to make intercession” for us
(Heb. 7:25). And if we sin “we have an advocate with the Father,
Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 Jn. 2:1).
The
death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord was according to
scripture. All of it was planned, orchestrated, and ordained by God
for his glory. Jesus was “delivered up according to the definite
plan and foreknowledge of God” (Acts 2:23). “God foretold by the
mouths of all the prophets that his Christ would suffer” (Acts
3:18). “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on
the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness
of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning
from Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:46-47).
In
everything he did, Jesus fulfilled the Old Testament. The rich
history, all of the types and shadows, ceremonies, sacrifices- were
accomplished in Christ. An episode in the life of Christ, after the
his resurrection, illustrates this perfectly.
That
very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about
seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking with each other
about all these things that had happened.
While
they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near
and went with them.
But
their eyes were kept from recognizing him.
And
he said to them, "What is this conversation that you are holding
with each other as you walk?" And they stood still, looking sad.
Then
one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only
visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened
there in these days?"
And
he said to them, "What things?" And they said to him,
"Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in
deed and word before God and all the people,
and
how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to
death, and crucified him.
But
we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides
all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.
Moreover,
some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in
the morning,
and
when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had
even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
Some
of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the
women had said, but him they did not see."
And
he said to them, "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe
all that the prophets have spoken!
Was
it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter
into his glory?"
And
beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in
all the Scriptures the things concerning himself (Lk. 24:13-27).
Who
wouldn’t want to be in that Bible study? Jesus interpreted the Old
Testament scriptures that spoke of him. Surely, Jesus told them how
he fulfilled:
- the promise made to Adam and Eve of bruising the serpent’s head (Gen. 3:15).
- the promise of blessing the entire earth through Abram and his offspring (Gen. 12:3 & 22:18).
- the Passover (Ex. 12).
- the water from the rock (Ex. 17:5-7).
- the bronze serpent (Num. 21:4-9).
- the Davidic covenant (2 Sam. 7:12-16).
- the virgin birth, his awe-inspiring names, his suffering, and mission (Is. 7:14; 9:6; 50:6; 52:13-53:12; 61:1).
- there are many, many others that could be listed. See: Psalm 22; 110; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Daniel 7:13-14, 9:24-27; Micah 5:2; Zechariah 6:12, 9:9, 12:10, 13:7.
Joseph
Bellamy has written,
The
goodness comes from heaven; from God, the great King of the universe.
It was first more darkly hinted at to Adam, immediately after the
fall; and afterwards to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, by God himself;
and by Moses and all the prophets in God’s name, to Israel of old.
But last of all, the whole glorious plan was fully brought to light,
and published to the world, by Jesus Christ and his apostles.1
Truly,
Jesus is astonishing. He fulfilled hundreds of types and prophecies.
It is astronomical to attempt to calculate the odds of one man
fulfilling all of this. He is remarkable. He deserves all honor and
praise. Bow down before him, worship and adore him. Glorify him in
life and death. Trust him. Love him. Seek him. Know him.
Treasure him. Serve him. Obey him. Cherish him. Extol him. Just
do not ignore him. This is the good news- it is Jesus!
The
Second Person of the Blessed Trinity stepped down from heaven, veiled
himself in the flesh of man, lived a perfect life of obedience free
of all sin, bore the curse and wrath of the Father in the place of
sinners, bled, suffered, died, was buried, rose on the third day,
ascended into the heavens, is seated on the right hand of God,
intercedes for his own, sent the Holy Spirit, and is coming again to
judge. This isn’t just good news, it’s great news. This is
earth shattering news. This changes everything. Christ paid the
price for sin, now there is forgiveness in his name. Repentant
sinners can be pardoned; they can enter into the presence of holy God
through the God Man, Jesus the Christ.
Christ
is our all. He is our Rock upon which we build, Shield that defends,
Strength that empowers, Peace that frees, Hope that encourages,
Shepherd that leads, King who rules, Priest who atones, Prophet that
teaches. He is the Lamb that died, Passover that spares, Bread that
nourishes, Life that quickens, Way that delivers, Light that
illumines, Resurrection that awakens, Gate that separates. Jesus is
the Bridegroom, Sin-bearer, Branch, Door, Cornerstone, Vine, Truth,
Mediator, Advocate, Messiah, Son of Man. Jesus is God, the Lord,
Almighty, Alpha and Omega, the Author and Finisher of our faith, the
Fountain, Gift, the End of the Law, River of Water. Jesus is our
all. With him we have everything. Without him we have nothing.
We
pray to him and through him. He is the Creator and Sustainer. All
things were made by him and for him. Christ’s supremacy is
all-encompassing; his splendor grandiose. He is beyond words. He is
beyond comparison. To what could we compare him? What fool would
dare to liken him to his creation? Christ is ineffable, resplendent,
magnificent, glorious, sovereign, beautiful. Christ is our all in
all. With him we need nothing. Without him nothing is everything.
“Jesus
Christ,” wrote Thomas Watson, “ is the sum and quintessence of
the gospel; the wonder of angels; the joy and triumph of saints. The
name of Christ is sweet, it is as music in the ear, honey in the
mouth, and a cordial at the heart.”2
Jonathan
Edwards, in his brilliant and scholarly language, wrote,
Christ,
as he is God, is infinitely great and high above all. He is higher
than the kings of the earth; for he is King of kings, and Lord of
lords. He is higher than the heavens, and higher than the highest
angels of heaven. So great is he, that all men, all kings and
princes, are as worms of the dust before him; all nations are as the
drop of the bucket, and the light dust of the balance; yea, and
angels themselves are as nothing before him. He is so high, that he
is infinitely above any need of us; above our reach, that we cannot
be profitable to him; and above our conceptions, that we cannot
comprehend him... Christ is the Creator and great Possessor of heaven
and earth. He is sovereign Lord of all. He rules over the whole
universe, and doth whatsoever pleaseth him. His knowledge is without
bound. His wisdom is perfect, and what none can circumvent. His
power is infinite, and none can resist him. His riches are immense
and inexhaustible. His majesty is infinitely awful.3
Who
is Jesus? Well, he is God, and as Thomas Brooks tells us,
God
hath in himself all the good of angels, of men, of universal nature;
he hath all glories, all dignities, all riches, all treasures, all
pleasures, all comforts, all delights, all joys, all beatitudes. God
is that one infinite perfection in himself, which is eminently and
virtually all perfections of the creatures, and therefore he is
firstly to be sought. Abstracts do better express him than concretes
and adjectives; he is being, bonity, power, wisdom, justice, mercy,
goodness and love itself, and therefore worthy to be sought before
all other things... God is Alpha, the fountain from whence all grace
springs, and Omega, the sea to which all glory runs... God is a
perfect good, a solid good... That is a perfect good, to which
nothing can be added; that a solid, from which nothing can be spared.
God is a pure and simple good; he is light in whom there is no
darkness, a good in whom there is no evil... God is an all-sufficient
good... God hath in himself all power to defend you, all wisdom to
direct you, all mercy to pardon you, all grace to enrich you, all
righteousness to clothe you, all goodness to supply you, and all
happiness to crown you. God is a satisfying good, a good that fills
the heart and quiets the soul... seek early, seek earnestly, seek
affectionately, seek diligently, seek primarily, and seek unweariedly
this God, who is the greatest good, the best good, the most desirable
good; who is a suitable good, a pure good, a satisfying good, a total
good, and an eternal good.4
I say
it again, it cannot be spoken enough, Jesus is the believer’s all;
their everything. The scriptures are full of Christ, he is on every
page. They speak of him. Some of Christ’s names and titles have
been referred to. They bare repeating. This is rich soil that will
yield a most bountiful crop. Oh, let us tarry here as long as we can
and meditate on our Savior. Come, let us adore him, sit at his feet,
bask in his glory, sing praises with the heavenly choir, grow in his
grace, and learn of his excellent greatness. After all, isn’t this
what we will do for eternity when we see him face to face? What
saith the scriptures?
Jesus
is: Advocate (1 Jn. 1:21), Almighty (Rev. 1:8), Alpha and Omega (Rev.
22:13), Amen (Rev. 3:14), Apostle (Heb. 3:1), Author of salvation
(Heb. 2:10), Branch (Jer. 23:5), Bread of life (Jn. 6:35), Chief
Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4), Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20), Deliverer (Rom.
11:26), Door (Jn. 10:7), Eternal life (1 Jn. 1:2), Glory of the Lord
(Is. 40:5), Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:14), Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14),
Head of the church (Eph. 5:23), Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2), Holy
One (Ps. 16:10), I Am (Jn. 8:58), Immanuel (Matt. 1:23), King (Matt.
21:5), King of kings (1 Tim. 6:15), King of the nations (Rev. 15:3),
Lamb (Rev. 5:6), Lat Adam (1 Cor. 15:45), Life (Jn. 14:6), Light of
the world (Jn. 18:12), Lion from the tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5), Lord
of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8), Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5), Messiah (Jn. 1:41),
Mighty God (Is. 9:6), Passover (1 Cor. 5:7), Prince of peace (Is.
9:6), Prophet (Lk. 24:19), Ransom (1 Tim. 2:6), Resurrection (Jn.
11:25), Rock (1 Cor. 10:4), Son of David (Matt. 9:27), Son of God
(Lk. 1:35), Son of Man (Jn. 5:27), True God (1 Jn. 5:20), True Vine
(Jn. 15:1), Truth (Jn. 14:6), Way (Jn. 14:6), Word (Jn. 1:1), and
Word of Life (1 Jn. 1:1).
1Joseph
Bellamy, Sin,
the Law, and The Glory of the Gospel
(Ames, Iw: International Outreach, 1998), 11.
3Jonathan
Edwards, “The Excellency Of Christ” in
The Works of Jonathan Edwards,
2 vols. (Peabody, Mass.:Hendrickson, 2004),
1:680-681.
4Thomas
Brooks, “Apples of Gold” in The
Works of Thomas Brooks,
6 vols. (Banner of Truth, 1980), 1:185-187.
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