Jesus’ Death and Burial

LUKE 23:33-38—It is usually true in connection with the loss of beloved friends or relatives that the little incidents that occurred and the things they said during the last few hours they were alive are long remembered by those to whom they were near and dear. This is more true of Jesus than of any other person who ever lived. Not only were the details of his death and the last words which he uttered recorded by four sacred historians, but they have been repeated, studied, and meditated upon, by millions throughout the centuries, and have been a vital source of inspiration to all those who endeavor sincerely to follow in his steps.

The story never grows old, and every time we read it we walk those last weary steps with him from the judgment hall to Golgotha, or Calvary, and we involuntarily flinch with pain as we think of the Roman soldiers piercing his hands and feet as they nailed the Master to the cross. We see the cross raised and hear it sink with a sickening thud as it is dropped into the socket which held it upright while the Son of God died. And withal, we can’t help uttering a sigh of thankful relief as finally we hear those parched and quivering lips cry out, “It is finished.”

Through it all, Jesus held no resentment against his cruel enemies. To do so would have been paradoxical, for he was voluntarily dying in order that they might live. “He saved others,” they cried, “let him save himself.” Yes, of course he had saved others. One of the main purposes of his first advent was to provide an opportunity of salvation for all others. He had demonstrated the very practical manner in which salvation would benefit the world by healing the sick and raising the dead.

And now, as he hung upon the cross, it was with a consciousness on his part that in giving up his own life in sacrifice, he was providing an opportunity of health and life everlasting for all mankind. How little, therefore, did his enemies realize that it was his love for them that kept him on the cross—that he was thereby providing salvation for them and for all mankind.

It is true only in part that his enemies did not know what they were doing. They did not know of course that it was necessary for Jesus to die in order to provide salvation for the world; but they did know—particularly the religious leaders of that day—that Jesus had done nothing worthy of death, and that they had brought about his death sentence in a fraudulent way to protect their own standing as leaders of the people. In other words, they were at least partially willful, hence could not be forgiven except upon the basis of their repentance and sincere effort to make amends. We mention this point because the expression in verse thirty-four, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” is spurious, not being found in the older manuscripts.

We saw in last week’s lesson that Jesus endured great “contradiction of sinners against himself,” and now in this lesson, also, we see further evidence of this. (Heb. 12:3) The superscription over the cross, “This Is the King of the Jews,” was looked upon as a mockery of the fact that Jesus was a King. At the same time it was also a just rebuke to his accusers, for it was this very issue that secured for them the death sentence upon the Master.

They wanted Pilate to have it read that Jesus said he was the king of the Jews, but he refused to make the change. Legally he had to refuse, because if in the view of the Roman law it was merely a case of a religious fanatic claiming to be king of the Jews, there would have been no real cause for crucifying him; so to make the cause of crucifixion valid the superscription had to remain as Pilate ordered. Jesus truly was the King of the Jews, hence the greater condemnation came upon those who crucified the Lord of glory.

MARK 15:34—Jesus was perfectly familiar with all the Old Testament prophecies which applied to him. Some of them were in the nature of prayers to which he gave utterance. The entire Twenty-second Psalm is one of these—a prophetic prayer which the Master uttered (at least in his heart) while he was hanging on the cross. He voiced the opening verse of the prayer, which reads, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” So far as the record goes this was the only part of the Psalm that Jesus recited loudly enough to be heard by those who stood by. Perhaps he was too weak to make his voice heard for more than these few words.

It was necessary that Jesus sense this feeling of rejection by his Heavenly Father; for he was taking the sinner’s place in death, and in order to thus die, his God had to withdraw his favor from him. In God’s favor is life, the Psalmist tells us (Psalm 30:5), and if the Heavenly Father had continued to smile upon his beloved Son he would not have died. So, through the first eighteen verses of the Twenty-second Psalm much detail of thought is given expressive of how completely God withdrew his blessing from his dearly beloved Son.

The remainder of the Psalm is more expressive of confidence—confidence in the divine program to establish a kingdom in the earth. (Verses 27,28) It may have been to some extent the inspiration of these verses that enabled Jesus with such confidence to reply to the thief’s request to be remembered in his kingdom by saying to him, “Thou shalt be with me in paradise.”

LUKE 23:46, 47—“Into thy hand I commend my spirit.” This expression by the Master indicates that the Heavenly Father turned his face toward him again before he died. No longer did the Savior of the world feel that he was forsaken by his God. His confidence had been restored, and he was able with assurance to commit his life, his all to the keeping of Him whose will he delighted to do.

The term “ghost,” in the expression, “he gave up the ghost,” is a very poor translation—an attempt to give the thought of personality to something which the creeds claim left Jesus’ body when he died. In the Greek, it means “breathed out” or “expired” and is so translated in Dr. Wilson’s Emphatic Diaglott.

The Greek word translated “spirit” in the expression, “Into thy hands I commend my spirit,” is wind, or breath. Broadly speaking it signifies invisible power. It may be the power of God, the power of thought, or the power of life. Or it may mean life itself, and it is thus used by Jesus. In dying, the Master commended his life to his God, giving it up willingly for the sins of the whole world. Three days thereafter, it was restored to him by the power of God—he was raised from the dead.

The centurion was very favorably impressed by Jesus’ conduct and words during this terrible ordeal through which he passed. He doubtless noticed the Master’s lack of animosity toward his enemies, and his final calm repose in the will of his God. He probably also heard that short sermon which the Master preached to the thief—that sermon in which he set forth the restitution hope, saying to the malefactor, “Thou shalt be with me in paradise.” From all that he saw and heard the centurion concluded that Jesus was indeed a righteous man, and he glorified God. There is a good lesson in this for us, the followers of Jesus. Are our words and conduct such, especially in times of great trial, that the sincere onlooker can note that we are different than the world, and will, on our account, glorify God?

MATTHEW 27:57-60—Jesus was buried by Joseph of Arimathaea, whom Mark describes as an “honorable counselor” who was waiting for the kingdom of God. (Mark 15:42,43) On the other hand, John informs us that Nicodemus also came on the scene, bringing a “mixture of myrrh and aloes” to be used in connection with the burial. (John 19:39) John is particular to identify this Nicodemus as the one who came to Jesus by night.

Evidently both of these men believed on Jesus but did not have the courage to come out in the open and declare themselves. They are to be commended for desiring to render this belated service—a needed service which probably the poorer disciples could not have arranged. As it was, Joseph owned the tomb, and Nicodemus could afford to provide the necessary spices. There is little doubt but what their reward will be rich.

QUESTIONS

Why was Jesus forsaken by his Heavenly Father?

Why did Jesus refuse to save himself?

What is meant by the expression that Jesus gave up the “Ghost”?

Who provided for the burial of Jesus, and what was their motive?

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