The Burial of Jesus Sermon | A Short Stay in a Borrowed Tomb
Categories: Sermon Outlines, Topical Sermon Outlines
A short stay in a borrowed tomb.
INTRODUCTION:
A. The first mention of burial in the Bible is in Genesis 15:15 where it seems to have already been an established custom – God promised Abram he would be buried at a good old age.
B. Throughout history, respect for the deceased has included the proper disposal of the body.
C. Burial might seem to be a rather gruesome subject for a sermon, but the particular burial with which we are dealing is far more important than one might think at first glance.
DISCUSSION: (Discussion of this the burial of Jesus sermon.)
A. THE BURIAL OF JESUS WAS A FULFILLMENT OF PROPHECY – Isaiah 53:9
1. Jesus’ enemies planned for His grave to be with the wicked
a. They “made” His grave with the wicked:
1) Franz Delitzsch paraphrases: “They assigned Him His grave with criminals”
2) A.R. Fausset: “His grave was appointed” or “they appointed Him His grave with the wicked”
b. John 19:31
1) It was the Jews’ intent that the bodies of Jesus and the two thieves be taken away – evidently by the same ones who would break their legs (death – within minutes)
2) If buried at all, it would have been without honor.
2. As it turned out, His grave was in the tomb of a rich man
a. Note that “the wicked” and “the rich” in Isaiah 53:9 are not two references to the same people.
b.”Rich” and “wicked” are not parallel (in fact, Joseph of Arimathea was a righteous man)
c. Whereas the Jews intended to heap reproach upon Jesus by disposing of His body like that of a vile criminal, God provided for an honorable burial in a rich man’s new tomb
d. Reason: He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth (53:9). Jesus had atoned for man’s sins by dying as if He had been a criminal. After death, He was honored with a dignified (if rushed) burial…
B. THE BURIAL OF JESUS WAS A VINDICATION OF HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. To have no burial has ever been a mark of shame, disgrace
a. In Old Testament times, notice what happened to those who listened to false prophets – Jeremiah 14:16
b. Notice also what Jeremiah says about the unrepentant people of Jerusalem – Jeremiah 16:4
2. By providentially providing for His burial, God showed that the Jews were 180 degrees off in their assessment of Jesus.
C. THE BURIAL OF JESUS WAS AN OCCASION FOR EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE AND DEVOTION
1. Mary of Bethany – Mark 14:8 – she anointed Him before the fact with the costly perfumed oil
a. Disciples (esp. Judas) condemned her for being wasteful
b. Jesus commended her and ordained that – Mark 14:9
2. Joseph of Arimathea, Matthew 27:57-60
a. A rich man who had become Jesus’ disciple
b. A just (righteous) man, a Sanhedrin member who had not consented to the court’s unjust treatment of Jesus, one who “was waiting for the kingdom of God” (Lk. 23:50-51)
c. A courageous man (Mk. 15:43)
d. Joseph requested that Jesus body be turned over to him (rather than taken away as the Jews had requested); he took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in fine linen which he had purchased, placed it in his own new tomb, and rolled a large stone against the entrance.
e. Joseph was not alone to do this work…
3. Nicodemus, John 19:38-42
a. Also a disciple – had first come to Jesus by night (John 3), then gradually became more dedicated and open in his support of Jesus.
b. Brought 100 lbs. spices (myrrh & aloes, likely powdered aloe wood mixed w/ resinous myrrh) to anoint the body for burial.
c. He and Joseph wound the body in linen strips – spices may have been directly applied to the body, or may have been applied to the linen which would then contact the body, or both.
d. There were yet others observing what Joseph and Nicodemus were doing…
D. THE BURIAL OF JESUS PROVIDES HELPFUL DETAILS IN DEFENDING HIS RESURRECTION
1. Details
a. This was Joseph’s own new tomb
b. It was near the place of crucifixion -John 19:41
c. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee “observed the tomb and how His body was laid” (Lk. 23:55)
1) Mark 15:47
2) Matthew 27:61
2. Reason for importance: skeptics claim the disciples went to the wrong tomb, found it empty, and thus proclaimed that Jesus was resurrected
a. Certainly they would have gone back to a place near the crucifixion site!
b. How likely is it that Joseph would not remember which tomb was his? or that Nicodemus would forget which tomb it was?
c. How likely is it that these women, who were so observant of what transpired late Friday afternoon, would be clueless on Sunday AM?
Finally in this the burial of Jesus sermon…
E. THE BURIAL OF JESUS AFFORDS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DEBUNK SUPERSTITIOUS CLAIMS (viz, the “Shroud of Turin”)
1. Even if it could be proven that the “Shroud of Turin” was a sheet in which Jesus’ body was wrapped as it lay in the tomb, it would not justify the superstitious treatment it has received
a. Early Christians did not venerate any such “relics” (had there been any real “relics,” surely those who were that close to the events would have known of them)
b. Good king Hezekiah destroyed a genuine “relic” that was being worshipped by his foolish subjects (2 Kings 18:4, the brass serpent which Moses had made at God’s direction)
2. The facts about the “Shroud of Turin” show that it cannot be the burial cloth of Jesus
a. A facial image appears on the shroud – if, indeed, it was caused by contact with a body, it wouldn’t have been the body of Jesus.
1) Nicodemus and Joseph applied the spices with the linen strips (John 19:40); they wrapped His head in a separate handkerchief (John 20:7). Then the bandaged body was wrapped in the linen sheet.
2) Even presuming that the sheet wrapped His head as well as the rest of His body, the handkerchief would have prevented it from being imprinted with His facial features.
b. The shroud has no certain history earlier than the 1300s.
c. At the time it was first “discovered,” the supposed blood-stains were bright red. They have since faded. Why would blood stains remain bright red for over 1200 years? If by some means they could remain bright for that long, why would they fade over the next 700-800 years?
CONCLUSION: (Ending of this ‘the burial of Jesus sermon.’)
A. We do not need “relics” to give us faith.
B. Our faith is in Him Who died, was buried, and arose triumphant the 3rd day.