Matthew - Day 38: The Burial of Jesus

After Jesus death on the cross, a man by the name of Joseph (from Arimathea) took a huge risk to his reputation by requesting the body of Jesus Christ. You see, Joseph was part of the council (Sanhedrin) of Jewish leaders that called for the death of Jesus. Along with Nicodemus (John 19:39), they prepared Him for a proper burial. This burial fulfilled a prophecy (Isaiah 53:9) spoken hundreds of years before Jesus life on earth.

The next day, the chief priest and Pharisees went back to Pilate to request that the stone Joseph had placed in front of the tomb be guarded and sealed. They were fearful that Jesus would rise again or that the disciples might steal His body and fabricate a resurrection (something that personally seems very difficult to have pulled off). These preparations were for naught as we will see tomorrow.

Read Matthew 27:57-66

Q: What evidence is given to support the death and burial of Jesus in a sealed tomb?

Q: Imagine you were one of the disciples. Describe what you are feeling during this time?

Q: Joseph of Arimathea took a significant risk to request the body of Jesus. Do you expect risks in the pursuit of loving and following Jesus? If so, are there any risks that He may be asking you to take at the moment?

Q: The life, death and resurrection of Jesus fulfilled many prophecies about the Messiah? Why is it that with all of these fulfilled prophecies, that others still won’t acknowledge Jesus as the Savior of the world?

Q: Who is someone that you could consistently pray would recognize Jesus, as He truly is, the Savior of the world?

For Further Study: Mark 15:42-46, Luke 23:50-53, John 19:38-42