Jesus’ Burial and Resurrection

John 19:31-20:18

Introduction: It is important for us to study the burial and resurrection of Jesus. Why? Because our entire faith is based on the fact that he died for our sins and then rose from the dead. This is one thing we should be very clear about.

His Death  31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was a high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.   32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.   33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:   34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.   35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.   36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.   37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

1. The piercing of His side is recorded only in John

2. The Jews were superstitious and wanted no bodies hanging in sight during the Passover week

3. They wanted the legs broken of those that were on the cross so that they would die sooner

   1. This was very cruel. The person felt not only the breaking of their legs but they suffocated in great pain

   2. They did not ask that the crucified be beheaded or hanged, which would have been simpler and quicker, they wanted the legs broken so they would suffer more intensely and yet, still die

Note: Beware of  tender mercies of the wicked and of the world

4. The scriptures foretold that no bone of Jesus would be broken.

5. The soldiers came to Christ and saw He was dead, but to make sure they pierced him with a spear in his side and water and blood came out.

   1. By making sure he was dead, they believed there was no way he could arise as He said he would do

   2. This piercing was evidence of the fact that he had actually died and was witnessed by the world

6. The blood and water represent two things:

   1. The blood for atonement

   2. The water for regeneration or purification

   3. These two must always go together

   4. Both came from Christ at the same time

7. So it was witnessed that he died and no bones were broken, just as the scriptures foretold of the Messiah

The Burial of Christ     38 And after this Joseph of Arimathæa, 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.   39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pound weight.   40 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.   41 Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.   42 There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

1. This Joseph was a disciple of Christ but in secret. Yet he went to Pilate out of love for Christ

2. If he had not gone, the body would have been disposed of in the City garbage dump where everything was burned, day and night, the fires burned

3. Though he was a secret disciple, God gave him the strength to step forward when needed and claim the body of Christ.

4. The embalming was done by Nicodemus, another public person of some position.

5. The grave was in a garden owned by Joseph of Arimathaea.

   1. It was in a garden the sin and death gained power

   2. It is in a garden the sin and death lost their power

6. He was buried in a new grave of sepulcher so it could not be said someone else had been in the grave, not him

The Women come to the Grave   1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.   2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.   3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.   4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.   5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.   6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,   7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.   8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.   9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.   10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

1. The apostle wanted to prove that Jesus rose from the dead because He had said he would, it would prove that Jesus was who he said he was.

2. Mary Magdalene was not the only person to visit His grave early that morning. There were probably others.

3. They came to complete preparing the body for burial, not knowing that Joseph and Nicodemus had already done that.

4. She was shocked to find it was empty

5. She got Peter and John to come and look

Note: This is a teaching that we should be ready to share with our friends, our feelings and news or things in our lives.

6. Peter went in first to make a more accurate assessment of what had happened.

Note: We should take care to check out things that are important in our lives, do not be hasty.

7. WE know that Peter saw and wondered, but John saw and believed. John was quicker than Peter to understand what had happened.

Jesus’ Resurrection   11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,   12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.   13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.   14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.   15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.   16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.   17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.   18 Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her.

1. Mary stayed when John and Peter had left, and so she was rewarded with seeing the two angels

NOTE: It is good to be careful and move slowly with caution. God allows us to see things that others miss.

2. She saw the angels, messengers from heaven. Why didn’t John and Peter see them?

3. God shows what he will to whom he will

4. Angels appear and disappear at will in the Bible

5. Jesus then showed himself to her.

6. It was when he spoke her name that she recognized who He was.

NOTE: We hear God when we are away from others and are in the proper frame of mind.