He Shall Be Called - Day 21

Life and Death Prophecy: The Messiah would be buried with the rich
Scripture: Read the prophecy – Isaiah 53:9
Read the fulfillment – Matthew 27:57 – 60

Jesus wasn’t going to need it for long but He really did need a place to be buried. Isaiah had predicted centuries before that after the death of the Messiah, He would be buried in a rich man’s tomb. Jesus’ family didn’t have money to purchase a final resting place. Fortunately, a rich man, Joseph of Arimethea, had become a follower of the Lord after hearing His message. Joseph stepped up to request the body and make arrangements for Jesus to be buried in a tomb he had prepared for his family. As John wrote his account, he knew the prophecy given centuries before and pointed out the fulfillment to his readers.

The Pharisees, the soldiers, the Roman officials, in reality everyone knew it was to be the final resting place. The Pharisees felt they had silenced their critic and the disciples felt they had lost their leader. After all, death is final. But not this time! On the morning of the third day, Jesus said good-bye to the borrowed tomb. He rose again and the power of death over the human race was changed forever. He took away the sting and fear of death. The borrowed tomb was empty and the lies began. Satan knew he would have to pull out all the stops to deceive people on this one. If people really believed Christ was truly resurrected, all hope of final victory for Satan and his followers was gone.

Q1. Joseph, the rich man who owned the tomb where Jesus was buried, probably felt allowing Jesus to be buried there was the least he could do for his savior. What are some of the things you do for the Savior in response to all the good things He has done for you?

Q2. Today, critics and skeptics work hard to explain away the resurrection because they know it is the most important thing that differentiates Christianity from all other world religions. What arguments or evidence could you give a friend who questioned the truth of the resurrection?

Q3. What difference in the life of the disciples was evident after Jesus appeared to them and showed them He was alive again? What difference does a risen savior make in your life?

Go ahead; drive the nails in My hands,
Laugh at Me where you stand
Go ahead, and say it isn’t Me, the day will come, when you will see!
Go ahead, and mock My name, My love for you is still the same
Go ahead, and bury Me, but very soon I will be free!
Go ahead, and say I’m dead and gone, but you will see that you were wrong Go ahead, try to hide the Son, but all will see that I’m the One!
‘Cause I’ll come again, ain’t no power on earth can keep Me back
Yes, I’ll come again, come to take My people back

PRAYER FOCUS: Help me not to fear death but rather look forward to my new life with You. Help me not to hang on to the trappings of this world but keep my eyes firmly fixed on You and live in the power of the resurrection.