Time Spent With Jesus
Demands A Response
If you lived during the period of Jesus ministry (approx. A.D.
30-33), many of the events you’d encounter would be nothing short of incredible.
In fact, they were miraculous. They were life changing, for those who’d only
believe. Jesus' presence (evidence)demands a response. I find that we usually
respond in any of three ways: (1) Suppress the evidence, (2) Reject the
evidence or (3) Accept the evidence. Regardless of the choice, our life will be
affected in a BIG way. Rather than make a choice, many choose to remain on the
outskirts, in the land of indecision or we decide not to decide. What of this
Jesus? Why does He have such an effect upon people and things?
As we celebrate this Resurrection Sunday, let’s consider the
lives of a few people who were changed in the process of His death.
Scenes from Jesus’ last days
The Criminal:
While Jesus was on the cross, this man could not help himself. I believe he knew
of Jesus due to his words “This man has done nothing wrong” (Luke 23:41b). But
in the presence of the Savior, while hanging on a cross for his own actions (a
just punishment according to him…he was sorry for his deeds) the criminal took
a leap of faith. He aligned himself with the Savior thinking “What can I lose?
I’m about to die anyway”. His request of Jesus bares his heart – “Jesus,
remember me when you come into your kingdom” (Luke 2:42). We should pay
attention to this moment as this man came to faith in his last moments. It is
never too late to ask mercy of God. At this point it was not about his past; it
was about a future based upon a single decision – “Remember me”. To his request
Jesus replied “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise” (Luke 2:43). While all
of Jesus followers were scattered, hiding and doubting Him and His kingdom,
this man believed and placed his faith in the God of that Kingdom. Imagine that!
A man claiming to be King, hanging on a cross, bleeding to death, being mocked
for His claims of kingship, with no one to help Him (seemingly).. This man was
rewarded for seeing beyond the obvious. I need to look beyond the facts of my
situation too. How strong is my faith? If I am breathing, then there’s hope!
39 When the centurion,
who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he
said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”
I like what Steven Rives said – “Where God was most revealed
he was most concealed”. Just before this Roman soldier made this summary
statement the veil of the Jewish temple was torn in two. This veil “symbolically
separated a holy God from a sinful people” (Nasb). The high priest was the
only one who had access to this holy place. Now with the death of Jesus, His
sacrificial act as the lamb of God who took away the sins of mankind meant we
can all approach God for ourselves – without the aid of the priest. We, the sinful, can have a personal relationship with a holy God. And God revealed this truth to this
centurion, standing before Him at the cross. Rives said that the centurion only
knew Caesar as the son of (a) god. It is at the cross that God reveals truth to
the soldier. "You want to know real truth? Let me tell you who is the true Son
of God...this Jesus whom you have crucified!" Things happen to us when we come
face to face with the reality of God. I dare say that if we are seeking answers
to life’s challenging questions, then we need a moment at Jesus’ cross. He said
of Himself “I am the way, the truth, the life” (John 14:6). An old song comes to mind - "At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the light...and the burdens of my heart rolled away". Think of the grace of God unleashed at the cross. It was private moment between the centurion and Jesus. "You may have contributed to my present status (hanging on a cross), but I will open you eyes and reveal to you what these folks around you are still blind to - I am the Messiah, and I came here to save you". Like Peter, it took an act of God to reveal the truth about Jesus' divinity. The same for this centurion - in one quick moment, God opened his spiritual eyes at the cross. I believe he walked away a changed man. When we do not deserve grace and mercy, God gives to us even more. Got Jesus?
Joseph &
Nicodemus: “These men were
changed more by Jesus’ death than His life” (Nasb). Imagine that? Jesus death
brought these men out of hiding. They were secret followers of Jesus (John
7:50-52; John 19:38), part of the religious institution of the day called the
Sanhedrin. You’d be called a heretic if found to be a Jesus follower. These men
had much to risk – position, reputation. Are you a secret follower of Jesus? Are you a follower
of “the way” in private, but ashamed to proclaim allegiance to Him in public? Well, these
two men finally realized who Jesus was and this realization prompted an action
Belief à
Action
A note about Nicodemus – He came to Jesus by night earlier
in Jesus’ ministry with a curious mind (John 3). We also see a progression of
his faith as he all but defended Jesus in front of his peers. Sometimes your
heart tricks your mouth. You can only hide what’s on the inside for so long.
His peers became suspicious of him (John 7:50-52).
Let’s get to one of our
main text: John 19: 38-42:
38 After these things
Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of
the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate
granted permission. So he came and took away His body. 39 Nicodemus, who had
first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a [q]mixture of myrrh and aloes,
about a hundred [r]pounds weight. 40 So they took the body of Jesus and bound
it in linen wrappings with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. 41
Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a
new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. 42 Therefore because of the Jewish
day of preparation, since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there.
These two men were all in! Their response to the evidence
required action. And so it was that they shook off the title of secret
disciples and made known to all concerned that they were disciples of this
crucified King. It was a mad rush. Less than 3 hours to go before the setting
of the sun. Joseph had to move fast. Joseph was wealthy man, a leader and a
honored member of the Jewish council. No more hiding. He put his money and influence
to work for Jesus. It had been predicted that Jesus would be represented as
rich in His death, to be buried in an unused tomb (Isaiah 53:9). This was Joseph’s tomb.
While the criminal on the cross would be left for the birds to ravage his
corpse, Jesus would be honored at death. See, the Romans would leave their
victims on the cross for all to witness as a determent for would be criminals.
Joseph and Nicodemus requested His body from Pilate. Pilate is surprised that
Jesus is dead seeing it has only been 6 hours. A command is usually given for
the men who are on the cross to have their legs broken. But Jesus was already
dead.
How do we know Jesus was dead?
How do we know Jesus was dead?
32 So the soldiers
came, and broke the legs of the first man and of the other who was crucified
with Him; 33 but coming to Jesus, when they saw that He was already dead, they
did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a
spear, and immediately blood and water came out (John 19).
It was now about 3pm on Friday. Six (6) pm was a new day for
the Jews. They had to act fast. Jews did not allow a body to hang on a tree
overnight, especially not on a holy Sabbath. Brother Joe and Brother Nick get
the body of Jesus as requested. Joe provided the tomb and Nick provided the
ointment. The ointment was to overpower the stench of the dead body – all of
75lbs.
Action -> They
washed His body. Someone has to take care of the King’s body, bloodied and
bruised. They wrapped His body in clean linen. All in haste, remember 6pm
is fast approaching. They carry Him to Joseph’s tomb (the unused tomb). Now,
for the Jews, mourning would continue for a year. At the end of the year, they
would re-enter the tomb, collect the remaining bones, place the bones in a small
box (ossuary), then bury them. Jesus is laid out on a rock/ledge in this tomb/cave, then a stone was rolled
before the entrance.
Watch the body crew
Mary, Mary &
Salome
61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting
opposite the grave (Matthew 27).
Why sit opposite the grave? Social stigma dictated that they
could not interact with the men; so they stayed real close, marked the spot so
that they could return later. Their response to the evidence also demanded
action:
“When the Sabbath was
over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, bought spices,
so that they might come and anoint Him” (Mark 16:1).
Mary and Mark took on a partner in the effort – Salome, said
to be Mary’s cousin. They had a role to play too. Bringing spices to the tomb is
like our bringing flowers to the graveside. These women would not be denied the
opportunity to minister to their King. They marked the time – after the men
were gone, and when the Sabbath observance was over. They too believed and were
moved to action. I have to say, I am impressed. We do not know what the men
were doing early in the morning on Sunday, but these women were ready for
action. They were not about to be outdone:
2 Very early on the
first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen (Mark 16).
To be continued…..
References:
Rives, S. "Truly This Was The Son Of God". Retrieved from: http://mrrives.com/Gezer/?p=167
Google Images.
Written by Pastor Kevin A. Hall
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