Scripture Reading:
Luke 23:50-56
Key Verse:
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46)
What does this passage teach us?
We see from these verses—that Christ has some disciples of whom little is known. We are told of one Joseph, “a good man, and a just”—a man who “had not consented to the counsel and deed” of those who condemned our Lord—a man who “himself waited for the kingdom of God.” This man went boldly to Pilate after the crucifixion, asked for the body of Jesus, took it down from the cross, and laid it in a tomb.
We know nothing of Joseph except what is here told us. In no part of the Acts or Epistles, do we find any mention of his name. At no former period of our Lord’s ministry, does he ever come forward. We cannot explain his reason for not openly joining the disciples before this time. But here, at the eleventh hour, this man is not afraid to show himself to be one of our Lord’s friends.
At the very time when the apostles had forsaken Jesus Joseph is not ashamed to show his love and respect. Others had confessed Him while He was living and doing miracles. It was reserved for Joseph to confess Him when He was dead.
The history of Joseph is full of instruction and encouragement. It shows us that Christ has friends of whom the Church knows little or nothing—unknown friends who in real love and affection, are second to none. It shows us, above all, that events may bring out grace in quarters where at present we do not expect it; and that the cause of Christ may prove one day to have many supporters, of whose existence we are at present not aware.
Let us learn from the case of Joseph of Arimathea, to be charitable and hopeful in our judgments. All is not barren in this world when our eyes perhaps see nothing. There may be some latent sparks of light when all appears dark. Little plants of spiritual life may be existing in some remote congregations, which the Father Himself has planted. The day of judgment will bring forward men who seemed last—and place them among the first (1 Kings 19:18).
We see secondly, from these verses—the reality of Christ’s death. This is a fact which is placed beyond dispute, by the circumstances related about His burial. Those who took His body from the cross and wrapped it in linen, could not have been deceived. Their own senses must have been witnesses to the fact, that He whom they handled was a corpse. Their own hands and eyes must have told them, that He whom they laid in Joseph’s sepulcher—was not alive, but dead.
The importance of the fact before us is far greater than a careless reader supposes. If Christ did not really die, there would be an end of all the comfort of the Gospel. Nothing short of His death could have paid man’s sin-debt to God. His incarnation, and sermons, and parables, and miracles, and sinless obedience to the law would have availed nothing, if He had not died.
The penalty threatened to the first Adam, was eternal damnation in Hell. If the second Adam had not really and actually died in our stead, as well as taught us truth the original penalty would have continued in full force against Adam and all his posterity. It was the lifeblood of Christ, which was to save our souls.
Forever let us bless God that our great Redeemer’s death is a fact beyond all dispute. The centurion who stood by the cross, the friends who took out the nails and laid the body in the grave, the women who stood by and beheld, the priests who sealed up the grave, the soldiers who guarded the sepulcher—all, all are witnesses that Jesus actually was dead.
The great sacrifice was really offered. The life of the Lamb was actually taken away. The penalty due to sin has actually been discharged by our Divine Substitute. Sinners believing in Jesus may hope and not be afraid. In themselves they are guilty. But Christ has died for the ungodly; and their debt is now completely paid.
Questions:
1. What are the themes of chapters 1-23?
2. What was the name of the man who took the body of Jesus and buried Him?
3. Why is it important that Jesus Christ actually died?
Family Application Questions:
1. How does the example of Joseph of Arimathea showing up after Christ died provide encouragement and hope?
2. What comfort can we take from the fact that Christ really died? Discuss Pastor Ryle’s observations on this.
