Theme Jesus’ Burial
Verses- Matt 27:62-66 The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.
63 "Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'
64 So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
65 "Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."
66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
The Burial Shows Caution as Illustrated by the chief priests and Pharisees.
The day of preparation was usually Friday before the Sabbath begins to get things ready in each household or gathering to celebrate. Such days were also designated before other Jewish festivals. I suppose it used to be like Christmas Eve Day. Christmas was the Holiday for years and Christmas Eve was the preparation before the Holiday. But in time I am guessing (I didn’t look it up) Dec 24 became important to people as they gathered for the meals and left Christmas for religious observances. In time people would gather for mass the hour before Christmas Day at Midnight. So families would come Christmas Eve before the services the next day and have a special time preparing for all the events. Convenience changes things and many churches, like Stanchfield, have an afternoon service before many family meals and prepartions. Now in many homes gifts are exchanged the night before Christmas. Dec 24 becomes as much a day of setting aside regular activities as it was the Day before the annual Passover.
With a week of holidays ahead, the Preparation Day for the Passover was especially busy. The details for preparing the Passover supper had to be completed by afternoon. Preparations included baking the unleavened bread, gathering festive garments to wear for the occasion, and taking a ceremonial bath. But above all, the paschal lamb had to be slain. Slaughtering began an hour or more earlier than for the usual daily evening sacrifice. At the Temple, the priests slaughtered thousands of lambs brought in by the people. Their blood was poured at the foot of the altar. Then the lambs were roasted whole in preparation for the Passover meal in each home that evening.
It was this time the paschal Lamb of God was shed.
As good Pharisees, Joseph and Nicodemus prepared the body for burial in the amount of time they had before the Sabbath. If they would work quickly so it wouldn’t be too late. But the ladies noticed the job wasn’t completed, so they intended to come back after the Passover day celebration to complete the anointing.
But Jesus' burial indicates all is finished. The burial puts to rest the body of Christ and confirmed the death of Jesus.
Some people who watched the movie, The Passion of Jesus Christ were so moved to bring to mind the details of a wicked suffering and crucifixion they repented of their sins and change their ways. Mel Gibson said he was a Christian, but the spirit of God moved in his heart and compelled him to produce a film on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. No one would back him. So he was willing to give up reputation, give up being hired anymore in Hollywood. He was willing to take the scorn and received it from friends and journalists and reviewers. He was willing to give up millions of dollars to follow the commitment of his faith in Jesus Christ. He reminded me of Joseph of Aramathea. He came out publicly for this faith and gave what a rich man had to give to honor the Lord.
The Muslim clerics thought this might be a means of adding to Anti-Semitism. So they initially agreed to have people see the movie. But some came from the movie saved and others asking questions like never before. One missionary recently said more had been done in the 2 hour movie than in 5 ½ years of his working in a Muslim land.
Bringing the suffering of Jesus to light again was used by the Holy Spirit to confront people with their sin. A neo-Nazi confessed to two decade-old bombings in Norway after watching the death of Jesus in "The Passion." Here in the states, a man in Arizona walked up to police and confessed to a half-dozen burglaries after watching the movie, and, in Florida, a fugitive from a bank robbery that happened two years ago turned himself in to police after watching Gibson's film. In Texas, a man had confessed to killing his girlfriend -- after the death had been ruled a suicide -- saying he had been moved by his experience viewing "The Passion."
Religous leaders wanted to exercise caution as to what the results might be following Jesus' burial. In the passage today it records that since rumors were going around that Jesus might be resurrected they requested guards be placed around the tomb for 3 days in case the disciples return to steal the body away. They wanted to take precautions to stop the Jesus movement.
King Herod wanted to take precautions to stop any Kingship movement when he ordered his troops to commit child genocide in Bethlehem.
When a follower of Jesus Christ is baptized there is something about the burial, the symbol of being immersed that says the old life is finished. Now there is a new life begun.
All of the caution and precautions in the world cannot stop God from advancing his kingdom. Herod couldn’t do it at Bethlehem, the chief priests and scribes couldn’t do it at Calvary. The Communists couldn’t do it in the last century, and the Muslim world cannot do it today.
There is a power in the hearts of believers that advances until He returns. Any burial is only temporary.
Pastor Dale
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Matt 27:55-61 Burial reveals Compassion
Sermon nuggets Thurs Dec 18
Theme Jesus’ Burial
Matt 27:55-56 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Burial Shows Compassion – as illustrated by The Women
As we looked at the two other Christians we saw the secret Christian for fear of others now show courage. We saw the hesitant Christian who believed and some knew it, but now showed commitment.
Since we talked about the preparation of the body by the followers, I also want to add the place that the woman held in the burial. I think these women illustrated Jesus point she loves much because she was forgiven much. This is especially true for Mary Magdalene as we know more details about her life. Jesus illustrated her love when she was the one weeping and wiping off the dirt from Jesus feet. She takes an expensive perfume and anoints his feet and kisses them.
Many think that was Mary of Magdalene, others question if it was as it is not clear. But either way she was possessed with 7 demons and like that woman who was forgiven much or Mary who was freed from horrible sin and possession there was completion to her faith. There was no turning back. These women showed compassion by following Jesus to the end, regardless of who knew it or what would be done to him or to them.
For the ones who wholly turn over their lives to Christ there is no turning back. There is outward worship and witness. There is a courage, a commitment that takes them to the end of completion and ultimately to glory.
Jesus had one mission in this life. It wasn't to be a great teacher, though He was a great teacher. It wasn't to be a great prophet, though He was a great prophet. It wasn't to be a great miracle worker, though He did work many great miracles. No my friend, Jesus came to this world to perform only one job...to die.
Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved because it was Jesus who died
for our sins. There are no other ways to be saved, no other roads to God. There are no other plans of salvation!
There are many incredible mysteries in the Bible. There are many doctrinal issues that will never be fully understood until we are in Heaven. But God made the most important decision of this life very easy and simple to understand. He gave every one the same opportunity to have their sins washed away and be assured of an eternity in Heaven. That is why we celebrate Good Friday today. That is why we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
The most important decision you will make in this life is not who you will marry, or where you will live, or what kind of job you will have. The most important decision you will make in this life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. For in the death and in the burial it is completed. It is finished. There is nothing else other than accepted it. Certainly we will speak of the resurrection of Christ, but in his death he bought your soul. If you haven’t prayed to received Christ to be your savior and forgive you of all your sins do so today.
The women showed compassion. The burial was not the end of their faith, but a continuance of their love.
Pastor Dale
Theme Jesus’ Burial
Matt 27:55-56 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs.
56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.
The Burial Shows Compassion – as illustrated by The Women
As we looked at the two other Christians we saw the secret Christian for fear of others now show courage. We saw the hesitant Christian who believed and some knew it, but now showed commitment.
Since we talked about the preparation of the body by the followers, I also want to add the place that the woman held in the burial. I think these women illustrated Jesus point she loves much because she was forgiven much. This is especially true for Mary Magdalene as we know more details about her life. Jesus illustrated her love when she was the one weeping and wiping off the dirt from Jesus feet. She takes an expensive perfume and anoints his feet and kisses them.
Many think that was Mary of Magdalene, others question if it was as it is not clear. But either way she was possessed with 7 demons and like that woman who was forgiven much or Mary who was freed from horrible sin and possession there was completion to her faith. There was no turning back. These women showed compassion by following Jesus to the end, regardless of who knew it or what would be done to him or to them.
For the ones who wholly turn over their lives to Christ there is no turning back. There is outward worship and witness. There is a courage, a commitment that takes them to the end of completion and ultimately to glory.
Jesus had one mission in this life. It wasn't to be a great teacher, though He was a great teacher. It wasn't to be a great prophet, though He was a great prophet. It wasn't to be a great miracle worker, though He did work many great miracles. No my friend, Jesus came to this world to perform only one job...to die.
Believing in Jesus is the only way to be saved because it was Jesus who died
for our sins. There are no other ways to be saved, no other roads to God. There are no other plans of salvation!
There are many incredible mysteries in the Bible. There are many doctrinal issues that will never be fully understood until we are in Heaven. But God made the most important decision of this life very easy and simple to understand. He gave every one the same opportunity to have their sins washed away and be assured of an eternity in Heaven. That is why we celebrate Good Friday today. That is why we put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
The most important decision you will make in this life is not who you will marry, or where you will live, or what kind of job you will have. The most important decision you will make in this life is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior. For in the death and in the burial it is completed. It is finished. There is nothing else other than accepted it. Certainly we will speak of the resurrection of Christ, but in his death he bought your soul. If you haven’t prayed to received Christ to be your savior and forgive you of all your sins do so today.
The women showed compassion. The burial was not the end of their faith, but a continuance of their love.
Pastor Dale
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Burial shows Commitment John 19:39,40
Sermon nuggets Wed Dec 17
Theme- Jesus’ Burial
Verses- John 19:39,40 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
Burial shows Commitment as illustrated by Nicodemus.
I think Nicodemus represents the type of Christian who will generally be the hesitant believer. I think he came to saving faith in Christ, and did simple things here and there which indicated he was believer. But it was convenient to keep quiet in some circles and speak up with others. The Gospels repeatedly said there were also some priests and teachers of the law who followed Jesus. I wonder if Nicodemus was a follower out of convenience more than conviction.
This passage reminds us that he was at the cross. He took it upon himself to buy 75 pounds of spices an myrrh and aloes which is enough to bury a king. That was not common for the burial of typical people, but to Nicodemus Jesus was a king. This was symbolic of the Kingdom and the Kingship of Christ.
Even though Nicodemus and Joseph were from the Pharisees party they were willing to do what a good Pharisee was not willing to do. They were willing to touch a dead body-especially before a Sabbath for that would make them unclean. They would have to ceremonially purify themselves and endure a waiting period before they could participate in public worship.
Nicodemus’ commitment is shown by giving. There would be no return on the investments of a tomb or burial clothes, or spices. It was not something they’d get back on income tax breaks. Commitment and concern for others goes hand in hand.
The cross motivated Nicodemus from being an observing Christian to getting committed. It motivated him from being secret to being public. He watched Jesus on the cross commit his life for the salvation of others. He knew with the other miracles that Jesus could have come down, but didn’t. There were some things that this educated teacher did not understand, and it is true today. There are things the wisest and smartest and most trained teachers of our society both liberals and conservatives, both unsaved and saved do not understand. God is beyond our comprehension. Eventually one takes the facts and must exercise faith. That faith may be strong or weak, but there is a time when each person must take what he doesn’t know and give himself or herself to the control and authority of Jesus wherever that may lead.
For Nicodemus it seemed that it was the burial of the Lord and his chance to do the will and work of God Almighty.
I think it was the companionship of Nicodemus that helped Joseph cross the line to publicly identify with Christ. I think it was the encouragement of Joseph that also helpled motivate Nicodemus to take a further step. The good Samaritan was the lesson of loving your neighbor who was in need. Nicodemus saw that love acted out by Jesus Christ. The commitment by the good Samaritan cost him something. There is commitment by Nicodemus which costs him something. Position and riches didn’t mean the same anymore.
Nicodemus saw the original passion of Jesus Christ and was moved to get involved. But getting involved may cost something. He his discovered a new truth which Jesus passed on, Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
He was now free.
Pastor Dale
Theme- Jesus’ Burial
Verses- John 19:39,40 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
Burial shows Commitment as illustrated by Nicodemus.
I think Nicodemus represents the type of Christian who will generally be the hesitant believer. I think he came to saving faith in Christ, and did simple things here and there which indicated he was believer. But it was convenient to keep quiet in some circles and speak up with others. The Gospels repeatedly said there were also some priests and teachers of the law who followed Jesus. I wonder if Nicodemus was a follower out of convenience more than conviction.
This passage reminds us that he was at the cross. He took it upon himself to buy 75 pounds of spices an myrrh and aloes which is enough to bury a king. That was not common for the burial of typical people, but to Nicodemus Jesus was a king. This was symbolic of the Kingdom and the Kingship of Christ.
Even though Nicodemus and Joseph were from the Pharisees party they were willing to do what a good Pharisee was not willing to do. They were willing to touch a dead body-especially before a Sabbath for that would make them unclean. They would have to ceremonially purify themselves and endure a waiting period before they could participate in public worship.
Nicodemus’ commitment is shown by giving. There would be no return on the investments of a tomb or burial clothes, or spices. It was not something they’d get back on income tax breaks. Commitment and concern for others goes hand in hand.
The cross motivated Nicodemus from being an observing Christian to getting committed. It motivated him from being secret to being public. He watched Jesus on the cross commit his life for the salvation of others. He knew with the other miracles that Jesus could have come down, but didn’t. There were some things that this educated teacher did not understand, and it is true today. There are things the wisest and smartest and most trained teachers of our society both liberals and conservatives, both unsaved and saved do not understand. God is beyond our comprehension. Eventually one takes the facts and must exercise faith. That faith may be strong or weak, but there is a time when each person must take what he doesn’t know and give himself or herself to the control and authority of Jesus wherever that may lead.
For Nicodemus it seemed that it was the burial of the Lord and his chance to do the will and work of God Almighty.
I think it was the companionship of Nicodemus that helped Joseph cross the line to publicly identify with Christ. I think it was the encouragement of Joseph that also helpled motivate Nicodemus to take a further step. The good Samaritan was the lesson of loving your neighbor who was in need. Nicodemus saw that love acted out by Jesus Christ. The commitment by the good Samaritan cost him something. There is commitment by Nicodemus which costs him something. Position and riches didn’t mean the same anymore.
Nicodemus saw the original passion of Jesus Christ and was moved to get involved. But getting involved may cost something. He his discovered a new truth which Jesus passed on, Luke 14:33 “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.”
He was now free.
Pastor Dale
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Burial gives Courage John 19:38
Sermon nuggets Tues Dec 16
Verses- John 19:38 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.”
The Burial Shows Courage as illustrated by Joseph
Joseph of Aramathea was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. Arimathea was called the city of the Jews meaning that there were a great many Jewish people born and raised there. We know he was a wealthy man. Not only does Matthew reveal this to us, but to have his own hand hewn tomb in a garden also helps us know that he was a man of means. All the members of the Sanhedrin were wealthy compared to most of the other population. They were respected.
But one reason that Scriptures talk about Joseph is to show the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”
Thousands of years before the Bible speaks of Jesus grave with the wicked. We know that two thieves were crucified on either side of Jesus. But instead of being taken from the cross and thrown on a heap, Joseph came on the scene by no accident. He came forward before Pilate asking for the body knowing that Jesus had no place to be buried. Jesus’ family would not have the money for a tomb. So he requested the body of Jesus and helped prepare the body to have buried in his own tomb. It was new. It was in a garden. It was the fulfillment that he was made his grave with the rich in his death.
The other thing that could be said about Joseph was that he was a secret disciple. I have heard it expressed often that people like to keep their religion private. Why? I think one reason might be to as not to offend others. People can get into arguments when they discuss religion and politics. When someone holds a minority opinion it is easier to keep quiet than to be excluded for your beliefs.
The text says he was a secret believer because he feared the Jews. He didn’t want them to know. That is true today. Some people who are Jewish don’t want their friends and relatives to know it if they are interested in Jesus Christ. Jews can be disowned by their families and thought to be traitors by their own people if they become Christians. In some countries in Asia and the Middle East they could lose their lives if families discovered they were believers in Jesus. But what about America?
There is social pressure to fit in. Joseph would have been disowned by his own people and his standing as a leader of the group that just condemned him would have also rejected Joseph. So he kept his faith quiet.
That is one main reason some Christians today don’t want to be public about their faith, because of pressures of friends, or social fear of what others might say or do. But there are others reasons. He might have known about the rich young ruler who was told to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Rich people don’t like to do that. That is easy for poor people. They don’t have much to lose. But if Jesus is Lord there is a different way in which we look at our possessions. We are aware that they do not belong to us but to the Lord.
Some might think they can’t be a good enough Christians and not a good enough witness so they don’t want others to know because their lives don’t live up to their profession. I was in a conversation recently with a man who was using all kinds of foul language until he discovered I was a pastor. It is amazing how quickly his conversation cleaned up. He told me he was a Christian and an active church man. But his tongue was still in the process apparently getting saved. Some want to keep faith a secret because they know they don’t live they way they want to-but who of us lives as we should?
There was an experiment done in psychology class in a High School of about 100 kids. They were put in groups of 10. They were instructed to tell which of three lines were the longest. 9 of the 10 kids were told to vote for the middle one. One person was the test subject and was not given any further instructions. When the instructor asked them to vote on the length of the lines each time 9 hands would go up and the person would look around and get a little embarrassed and slowly raise his hand repeatedly with the group. How many do you think voted for the obviously wrong answer? All of them.
Joseph wanted to fit in. He didn’t want to lose status, or maybe business. He feared what others would think if they knew he was a believer in Jesus.
But the cross changed his fear into courage. Joseph looked at the suffering savior and it gave him the courage that if Christ would so die as one who was innocent, then now he would come out in the open and let others think what they want. Truly this was the Son of God. He went and asked for the body.
Where are your fears? How can Jesus give you courage in your faith walk this coming year? When we see what He went through for your salvation may it be an encouragement to step forward and be counted in ways that are led by the Lord.
Pastor Dale
Verses- John 19:38 “Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.”
The Burial Shows Courage as illustrated by Joseph
Joseph of Aramathea was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin. Arimathea was called the city of the Jews meaning that there were a great many Jewish people born and raised there. We know he was a wealthy man. Not only does Matthew reveal this to us, but to have his own hand hewn tomb in a garden also helps us know that he was a man of means. All the members of the Sanhedrin were wealthy compared to most of the other population. They were respected.
But one reason that Scriptures talk about Joseph is to show the fulfillment of the prophecy in Isaiah 53:9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.”
Thousands of years before the Bible speaks of Jesus grave with the wicked. We know that two thieves were crucified on either side of Jesus. But instead of being taken from the cross and thrown on a heap, Joseph came on the scene by no accident. He came forward before Pilate asking for the body knowing that Jesus had no place to be buried. Jesus’ family would not have the money for a tomb. So he requested the body of Jesus and helped prepare the body to have buried in his own tomb. It was new. It was in a garden. It was the fulfillment that he was made his grave with the rich in his death.
The other thing that could be said about Joseph was that he was a secret disciple. I have heard it expressed often that people like to keep their religion private. Why? I think one reason might be to as not to offend others. People can get into arguments when they discuss religion and politics. When someone holds a minority opinion it is easier to keep quiet than to be excluded for your beliefs.
The text says he was a secret believer because he feared the Jews. He didn’t want them to know. That is true today. Some people who are Jewish don’t want their friends and relatives to know it if they are interested in Jesus Christ. Jews can be disowned by their families and thought to be traitors by their own people if they become Christians. In some countries in Asia and the Middle East they could lose their lives if families discovered they were believers in Jesus. But what about America?
There is social pressure to fit in. Joseph would have been disowned by his own people and his standing as a leader of the group that just condemned him would have also rejected Joseph. So he kept his faith quiet.
That is one main reason some Christians today don’t want to be public about their faith, because of pressures of friends, or social fear of what others might say or do. But there are others reasons. He might have known about the rich young ruler who was told to sell all that he had and give to the poor. Rich people don’t like to do that. That is easy for poor people. They don’t have much to lose. But if Jesus is Lord there is a different way in which we look at our possessions. We are aware that they do not belong to us but to the Lord.
Some might think they can’t be a good enough Christians and not a good enough witness so they don’t want others to know because their lives don’t live up to their profession. I was in a conversation recently with a man who was using all kinds of foul language until he discovered I was a pastor. It is amazing how quickly his conversation cleaned up. He told me he was a Christian and an active church man. But his tongue was still in the process apparently getting saved. Some want to keep faith a secret because they know they don’t live they way they want to-but who of us lives as we should?
There was an experiment done in psychology class in a High School of about 100 kids. They were put in groups of 10. They were instructed to tell which of three lines were the longest. 9 of the 10 kids were told to vote for the middle one. One person was the test subject and was not given any further instructions. When the instructor asked them to vote on the length of the lines each time 9 hands would go up and the person would look around and get a little embarrassed and slowly raise his hand repeatedly with the group. How many do you think voted for the obviously wrong answer? All of them.
Joseph wanted to fit in. He didn’t want to lose status, or maybe business. He feared what others would think if they knew he was a believer in Jesus.
But the cross changed his fear into courage. Joseph looked at the suffering savior and it gave him the courage that if Christ would so die as one who was innocent, then now he would come out in the open and let others think what they want. Truly this was the Son of God. He went and asked for the body.
Where are your fears? How can Jesus give you courage in your faith walk this coming year? When we see what He went through for your salvation may it be an encouragement to step forward and be counted in ways that are led by the Lord.
Pastor Dale
Monday, December 15, 2008
The Burial John 19:38-42
Sermon Nuggets Mon Dec 15
Theme- The Burial
Verses- John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.
39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Bruial shows Completion
While the events of Christmas these days has us looking at the birth of Jesus, we come to the place in our devotions from the book of John which records His burial. I want to look at four responses to the burial. The people directly involved in the burial of Jesus Christ were Joseph of Arimathea whose courage was demonstrated, Nicodemus whose commitment was demonstrated, and the women whose compassion was demonstrated.
Matthew records the next day the chief priests and Pharisees showed concern at his burial in order to stop any rumors of the resurrection. They requested of Pilate that guards would be posted for three days around the tomb.
I have preformed services at many funerals in my ministry. Although many people may come to the funeral service, it is only a few people who usually attend a burial. The group around the grave includes immediate family, the pallbearers, other close family and friends, myself, and the people in charge of the burial like the funeral director, and the grave digger. Because of cemetery requirements a vault company provide the heavy vault and workers lower the casket into the ground and seal the tomb.
Sometimes there is a color guard if the person was in the military. The military personnel honors the departed for services rendered to our country. A gun salute, flag folding and presentation, along with the sound of taps is part of the ceremony.
I have been at burials where there were just me and the funeral director and the grave diggers. How burials are done is often cultural and according to religious beliefs. Due to the hot climate of Palestine, dead bodies decayed rapidly, so burial usually took place within a few hours after death. If someone died late in the day, burial took place the next day, but always within 24 hours after death.
When death occurred, the oldest son or nearest of kin closed the eyes of the dead and the mouth was closed and the jaws bound up. After the body was washed, it was usually wrapped in cloth. The wealthy used linen with spices placed between the folds.
For a body not to be buried was considered a great shame and a sign of God's judgment. Part of the practice for bodies of the crucified was to leave them up on crosses where birds would come and eat the remains. If there were relatives around they could take the body for a burial. If the crosses were needed the bodies would be removed and thrown in to a field for scavengers to devour the remains.
There is one thing about putting a body in a tomb. It marks the completion of death. It is the last of funeral ceremonies. It is the completion of formal ritual. Although grieving may follow for years, when the body is disposed of, things are completed.
Paul puts these events as the core of the gospel, 1 Cor 15:3-4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
When we practice the rite of baptism we symbolize our death to our old self, burial as we go under water and we are raised to new life as a person is lifted up from the water. Why do we make a point of the burial? It is the completion of the past. It is over.
Since the work of Jesus was now completed the use of his physical body was thought to be over, but there is more to come. When we are buried in baptism that past is over, it symbolizes the new life to come. “Old things are past away and behold all things become new.”
Pastor Dale
Theme- The Burial
Verses- John 19:38-42 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away.
39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds.
40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.
41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
42 Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
Bruial shows Completion
While the events of Christmas these days has us looking at the birth of Jesus, we come to the place in our devotions from the book of John which records His burial. I want to look at four responses to the burial. The people directly involved in the burial of Jesus Christ were Joseph of Arimathea whose courage was demonstrated, Nicodemus whose commitment was demonstrated, and the women whose compassion was demonstrated.
Matthew records the next day the chief priests and Pharisees showed concern at his burial in order to stop any rumors of the resurrection. They requested of Pilate that guards would be posted for three days around the tomb.
I have preformed services at many funerals in my ministry. Although many people may come to the funeral service, it is only a few people who usually attend a burial. The group around the grave includes immediate family, the pallbearers, other close family and friends, myself, and the people in charge of the burial like the funeral director, and the grave digger. Because of cemetery requirements a vault company provide the heavy vault and workers lower the casket into the ground and seal the tomb.
Sometimes there is a color guard if the person was in the military. The military personnel honors the departed for services rendered to our country. A gun salute, flag folding and presentation, along with the sound of taps is part of the ceremony.
I have been at burials where there were just me and the funeral director and the grave diggers. How burials are done is often cultural and according to religious beliefs. Due to the hot climate of Palestine, dead bodies decayed rapidly, so burial usually took place within a few hours after death. If someone died late in the day, burial took place the next day, but always within 24 hours after death.
When death occurred, the oldest son or nearest of kin closed the eyes of the dead and the mouth was closed and the jaws bound up. After the body was washed, it was usually wrapped in cloth. The wealthy used linen with spices placed between the folds.
For a body not to be buried was considered a great shame and a sign of God's judgment. Part of the practice for bodies of the crucified was to leave them up on crosses where birds would come and eat the remains. If there were relatives around they could take the body for a burial. If the crosses were needed the bodies would be removed and thrown in to a field for scavengers to devour the remains.
There is one thing about putting a body in a tomb. It marks the completion of death. It is the last of funeral ceremonies. It is the completion of formal ritual. Although grieving may follow for years, when the body is disposed of, things are completed.
Paul puts these events as the core of the gospel, 1 Cor 15:3-4 “For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,”
When we practice the rite of baptism we symbolize our death to our old self, burial as we go under water and we are raised to new life as a person is lifted up from the water. Why do we make a point of the burial? It is the completion of the past. It is over.
Since the work of Jesus was now completed the use of his physical body was thought to be over, but there is more to come. When we are buried in baptism that past is over, it symbolizes the new life to come. “Old things are past away and behold all things become new.”
Pastor Dale
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