The apostle John wrote after Jesus died on the cross, “Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein was never man yet laid”, and in chapter nineteen and verse forty-two of his book John shared how, “there laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day” where we read:
There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day;
for the sepulcher was near at hand.
The verse reads, “There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day;” John began with the words, “there laid they Jesus therefore” which means “in the unused tomb in the garden Joseph Arimathaea and Nicodemus then, wherefore and on this account lay down, set and placed the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “because of the Jews'” or “since and on account that pertaining to the people of the Jewish nation's” “preparation day” which means “sunrise to sunset when the Jewish people made ready, equipped and prepared for the passover meal”. John shared how “Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus” placed Jesus' body within the “unused tomb in the garden” since it was the day of “preparing” for passover.
The verse goes on to say, “for the sepulcher was near at hand.” John continued with the words, “for the sepulcher” or “because, since and on account that the tomb” “was near at hand” which means “was close by”. John shared how the “unused tomb” was close to the place where Jesus was crucified so “Joseph and Nicodemus” placed Jesus' body within it.
When we consider John's words in this verse, we learn that “Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus” placed the body of “Jesus” in the unused tomb located in the “garden” near to the place where He was crucified. We might suppose that “Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus” believed this to be the last time they would see Jesus, and because He was now buried, the marvel and wonder of Jesus' life was no longer with them. They would soon know differently as God the Father intended to “raise Jesus” from the dead so every person would be given the opportunity to receive Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Those who surrender their lives to Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted eternal life with God the Heavenly Father forever. Thought “Joseph and Nicodemus” place Jesus in the tomb, He was resurrected so everyone might have an eternal relationship with God.
Next time we begin a new chapter and see John share how, “the first day of the week came Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulcher”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
No comments:
Post a Comment