We know Jesus was buried in a garden tomb belonging to Joseph of Arimathea..Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, but also a member of the Sandhedrin which had sentenced Jesus to die. He and his Pharisee friend, Nicodemus, requested the body of Jesus. Since it was the day of preparation for the Sabbath, they hurriedly buried Jesus in Joseph’s own tomb in a nearby garden. This “fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy spoken hundreds of years before Jesus’ death: “He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:9, (Got questions.org: Who was Joseph of Arimethea?)
We know the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate telling him that Jesus had predicted His resurrection, so Pilate posted guards at the tomb. Just like in present day politics, they asserted that the disciples could steal the body and tell people that Jesus had risen from the dead. (Matthew 27:64) Their argument was successful, and a seal was put on the stone and a guard was posted.
Luke, the doctor, tells us about the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee. In verse 55 of chapter 23, we read: they followed Joseph and saw the tomb and how the body was laid in it. Then they went home and prepared spices and perfumes. But they rested on the Sabbath in obedience to the commandment. Then, on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices that they had prepared and went to the tomb.”
John adds a detail in chapter 19 that Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds, and with Joseph, wrapped the body in spices with strips of linen, the custom of the Jews. It was almost the Jewish day of Preparation, and the tomb was nearby, they took the body there.
So, where were the disciples? They had fled in fear. They did not witness the trial. They did not oppose the crowd that yelled for the release of Barabbas, the murderer and insurrectionist, and did not plead for Jesus to be released. They did not, except for John, witness the crucifixion. In face, Peter, as Jesus predicted he would, denied Jesus three times as he waited outside the trial site. Admittedly, they did not have the Holy Spirit to strengthen them. That Saturday must have been a day of sorrow and guilt and despair.
Fear is a terrible thing. We can only wonder that if we are someday persecuted, and put in the position of the disciples, who knew Him best, will we stand for our faith? The early Christians had to submit to all kinds of harassment and persecution, and most were killed for their belief in Jesus. The epistles are full of encouragement. Today, 2022, we see churches closed by COVID edicts, bombing and destruction of churches in various parts of Africa nd surely in Ukraine, we see the underground church thriving in spite of evil searches in China and other places in our world, and in our own country, a creeping law restriction on Christian charities and business practices of Christians. We see Christian charities being used by the government to carry out illegal migration practices such as this weekend’s transfer of busloads of people sent to Washington, immediately transferred to train stations by Catholic charities. They are now untraceable. Will we dare oppose WOKE and transgender issues in our schools?
On this Saturday before Easter, we need to take a self-evaluation tour ourselves of our commitment to Jesus and His message. Then, when we have reached our determination to stand firm in the faith, we must exhibit the strength given by the Holy Spirit.
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