Friday, April 06, 2007

Beginning of Evening: Jesus' Burial

Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, and someone looking for the kingdom of God (John says he was secretly a disciple of Jesus). He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to find that Jesus was already dead, for crucifixions were a long and torturous death. The Gospel of John actually mentions a soldier piercing Jesus in the side just to check if he were dead. They broke the legs of the two thieves to expedite their suffocation as their lungs filled with water.

Joseph wrapped Jesus in linen and placed his body in a new tomb, Matthew says it was his own. John says that Nicodemus anointed Jesus with a hundred pounds worth of spices, and that the tomb was in a nearby garden.

Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph noted where Jesus was laid so that they could come back after the sabbath and anoint his body.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

i've been following through your posts of passion week and have appreciated them fully, thanks for taking the time,
-Kris Heiple

Ken Schenck said...

Glad it has been meaningful to you!