Mark 15:40-47
Notes
Transcript
The crucification of Jesus has just taken place.
Betrayed, mocked, scurged, crucified.
And then today’s verses.
Read verses.
There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.
And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Pray!
There were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome.
We’ve got this group of women off in the distance watching at what’s taking place.
And we have the author here identifing a few of them for us.
Mary Magdalene, which by the way isn’t her full name but where she’s from.
Mary of Magdala. She was forever changed by Jesus, when 7 demons were cast out of her.
We have Mary, the mother of James the younger and of Joses.
This is the mother of the younger James out of the 12 Apostles.
She is not Mary, Jesus’ mother.
And we have Salome. (Saul-omay).
The mother of the two disciples James the older and John.
The very one that asked Jesus if her boys could sit with him in His Kingdom. One on your right and one on your left. Basically asking for the very top positions in His Kingdom.
It also says this about the women.
When he was in Galilee, they followed him and ministered to him, and there were also many other women who came up with him to Jerusalem.
These women have undoubtedly been effected by Jesus and watch with great concern.
The word "Minister" here is from the Greek root word diakoneo. It means to serve another, to provide food and other necessities.
These women have followed Jesus, heard His teachings, seen and been part of the mircales of Jesus!
They knew Jesus. They took care of Jesus. They love Jesus!
Women are important to Jesus!
As much as we sometimes balk at the “wifes be submissive to your husbands”. It’s defienetly not out of value but of order!
Our God is a God of order. Just as the wife submits to the husband, the husband submits to Jesus, and Jesus submits to the Father. It’s based on order, not value.
God loves both man and women and values both equally. Hence it takes both male and female to bring forth a child. We just have different roles and responsibilties. That we’ll all have to answer to.
How well did I submit to Jesus and how well did I love my wife?
Just a quick little tid-bit on that.
And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath,
We have the day of preparation. The day before the sabbath.
It’s excatly as it sounds. Get all your things in order…food, chores, anything you need throughout a day that requires working. Get it all done before the day of rest. No work is to be performed on the day of rest.
And we have this Joseph of Arimathea in Mark 15:43
Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
What council? The Sanhedrin Council. Kinda like the supreme court of Israel.
A group consisting of the Pharisee’s, Saducee’s, and High Priest.
Part of the same group that held mock trails against Jesus in the cover of night and than later during the light of day (after rounding up many false witnessness).
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none. For many bore false witness against him, but their testimony did not agree.
People in Israel that held power and authority over the Jewish people.
And within this group we have here a man named Joseph.
We’ve never heard of this man until now.
Why?
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body.
He secretly followed Jesus because of fear of the Jews. Doesn’t look like he was very open about his beliefs concerning Jesus until now. But nontheless, it looks as he studied Jesus’ teachings.
Luke says this about the man.
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
We see he is a respected member, and seeking truth in Mark 15:43. Mark saying he was “a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God”.
Luke says he was “a good and righteous man that had not consented to their decision and action”.
Which when we reread.
Now the chief priests and the whole council were seeking testimony against Jesus to put him to death, but they found none.
Means more deceit. The “whole” council was just those in attendance that night and/or early morning day. Not literally the whole complete council of 71 members. Just the like minded ones against Jesus to push this trial through.
Nothing in politics takes place like this anymore right?
But something is changing with this Joseph.
No more is he doing things in secret.
“Took courage” courage to out himself as a believer (I’m sure his council members weren’t appriciativie of it)
Courage to ask for the body of Jesus from a powerful figure.
We know he feared his collegues and why wouldn’t you?
Look at what they did to Jesus.
He also looks to live a life of wealth.
When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who also was a disciple of Jesus.
Even though he was a respected, good and righteous man, that was seeking the kingdom of God. He was human with real human worldy desires of acceptance and comfort.
But something higher now ruled his heart…the “seeking the kingdom of God” led him to Jesus! Praise God! Praise God for his patience with us! From Peter to now this Joseph our Lord is so good to us. How many of us could love with the Love Jesus has?
So this Joseph is requesting the body of Jesus.
A couple things here..
First, the law.
“And if a man has committed a crime punishable by death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his body shall not remain all night on the tree, but you shall bury him the same day, for a hanged man is cursed by God. You shall not defile your land that the Lord your God is giving you for an inheritance.
Second, it was common practice during these punishments to leave the remains on the cross for all to see what happens when you mess with Rome.
Eventually, just throwing the remains of the bodies in the dump to get burned with the trash.
A very lowly, demeaning treating of the body that is created in the likeness of God. The Jews had a very high respect for the body and it was not meant to just be thrown in the trash.
One other thing…timing...
Jesus is crucified at nine in the morning, died and 3 in the afternoon and the because of how the Jew’s counted and started days, the sabbath was fast approaching.
Jews started their new days at 6PM. One full day was 6Pm to 6PM. And any part of that day was a whole day, night and day.
Jesus dying on Friday at 3 in the afternoon counted as one complete day and night.
And what is Saturday in anciet times? The sabbath. Remember earlier…the day of preperation?
Joseph has 3 hours to remove Jesus’ body and somewhat prep his body for burial.
The clock is ticking and to this new couragous Joseph, it’s important that Jesus is buried.
Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.
Why was Pilate surprised?
History shows crucifixation lasted days, even with scourging.
What does this say about Jesus? That he was weak? He was possibly beaten harder than others, almost to the point of death and therefore didn’t have much left for the cross?
Or John 10:17-18
For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”
No bullets, no kool-aid, no beatings, no cross. Jesus choose when and how!
This is important! Death has no authority over God!
It does over us but not God.
He laid Himself down on HIS own accord to pay something that we couldn’t pay.
His timing, not deaths timing, His early timing shows this truth!
All these false messiah’s dying for what they believe didn’t have this.
Yes, they may have chosen to drink the kool-aid but they didn’t choose if they died or not.
They died by the accord of the natural flesh.
Jesus died by His own authority and rose by His own authority and because of this, lives have been forever changed.
We worship and serve the real Messiah that has stood the testament of time.
Not the ones that mimick light that come and go. Claiming to be someone, even ones that were crucified that claim to be something are gone.
Why don’t we hear of them? Because they are dead!
He is Lord or lords, King of kings.
And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb.
I want to bring up that Joseph wasn’t alone in this duty.
John 19:38-40
After these things Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight.
So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.
As the Alistair Begg the preacher says. “The two scardy cats came out”
Remember Nicodmus was a secret follower of Jesus and also was part of the council.
The two scardy cats have now made themselves known.
Not only was it good to have a helper in preparing Jesus, this stone that covers the tomb is impressive.
Around 4 to 5 feet tall and somewhere between 1 to 2 tons or 2 to 4000 pounds.
This stone was set up to the side with wedged chocks to hold it in place until the time came to move it to block the entrance.
The wedges were removed and the stone was rolled into a pocket that helped secure the stone in place.
It was a serious stone to be sure!
These two scardy cats were out and no longer scardy cats but doers for the Kingdom of God.
Two people that had a lot to lose if you were to judge them off of wordly gain.
In closing a few more things I’d like to share and point out.
We are to always be prepared to give a reason for why believe.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Critics may say that Jesus really didn’t die, He was merely uncouncess.
Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.
Remember the women in the first of this. They witnessed the burial of Jesus!
Not him waking up after being pulled of the cross. But the death and BURIAL!
Two promiment, well estabilshed leaders, that had a lot to lose worldly speaking. Handled Jesus’ dead body, by peeling His dead body off the cross, carrying it, prepping it, and buring it. These two had nothing to gain from this and confirmed his death by their very practice.
Lastly, the Romans were killing machines when it came to capital punishment. Not only was he dead but to just to be extra attentive to details they peirced his side, which in turn scripture says blood and water poured out, indicating his heart had burst.
The Romans new death and the Roman guards made sure of there answers before given.
Jesus died!
Second, critics might say this was all staged. Jesus read the old testament and made sure he practiced the foretold prophecies.
Riddle me this batman.
And they made his grave with the wicked
and with a rich man in his death,
although he had done no violence,
and there was no deceit in his mouth.
This prophecy is fortelling the coming Messiah by the prophet Isaiah.
Hundreds of years before Jesus.
This Messiah would be treated just like anyone else concerning death. It would be burial, just as the wicked recieve.
Ok, wierd that the savior of the world would be treated as the wicked. But that can easily be accomodated by a fake.
But this next part.
“and with a rich man in his death”
Tombs were used over and over for the common people.
every 75 years or so they were recyecled. Bones thrown out and a new body brought in.
Except for the weathly, they had enough to purchase a new burial tomb.
One that had never been used.
Never would you go to a God fearing, good and rightous man, that was respected by all and try to collaborate a deal of false Messaiahship.
It’s just not going to happen.
This burial was not man made but God made! Plain and simple.
Folks if there is one thing we can be certain of, over and over again.
Jesus lived, Jesus was crucified, Jesus died, Jesus was buried because he was dead, and Jesus rose!
Enough so that the world has never been the same!
Thank you Jesus! Let’s pray,