“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. Because it was the Jewish day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there” – John 19: 41-42 NIV
My Thoughts:
Torn Curtain by M. Hogan
Immediately after Jesus gives up His soul to God while on the cross, the earth quakes and the curtain of the Holy of Holies in the Temple—which blocks the entrance to God’s presence—is torn in two from top to bottom. This signified that the way into God’s presence was now open to all people through a new and living way, Jesus Christ. As the book of Hebrews says, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God” (Heb 10:19-22a NIV).
The other two robbers’ legs are broken by the Roman soldiers to hasten their end, but in Jesus’ case, this was an unnecessary act since He was already dead. Instead, one of the soldiers pierces His side with a spear. Just as the Mosaic Law specified that no bone of the Passover lamb was to be broken, Jesus’ bones were unbroken. Christ’s death fulfilled the symbolism of the Passover meal. He was indeed the replacement for the Temple, the embodiment of the living God, and the new place where heaven and earth meet.
After all three were confirmed dead, Joseph of Arimathea, a just member of the Jewish council who was a disciple of Jesus, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Normally, a Jewish body would be carefully washed and anointed before burial, but with the Sabbath day approaching at sunset there was no time for that. Jesus’ body is quickly bound in linen cloths with spices and laid in Joseph’s nearby new tomb in a garden near the site of the crucifixion. And a large stone is rolled over the entrance.
Benediction — based on Philippians 4:7, NRSV
May the light of the glorious gospel of Christ
shine in our hearts, transform our lives,
and brighten the world.
And the blessing of God almighty,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
rest upon you always. Amen.
