sealed-tombIn John 19:30 it is recorded that just before sundown Jesus said, “‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Then what happened?

Joseph of Arimathea requested Jesus’ body in order to give it a proper Jewish burial. This included cleaning the body and wrapping it with linen and spices… about 35 pounds worth. He was then placed in a borrowed tomb that had never be used, which a stone covered, was sealed, and a contingent of Roman guards were stationed there.

Aside 1: The Shroud of Turin is a fake. I say that because Jesus was dead, which means the flow of bodily fluids stopped, and coagulated in his body. Once his body was washed and cleaned, no blood would have continued to flow (As is supposedly found on the shroud). Also, there are only minute residual evidence of a few pollen spores on the shroud. Since the body was wrapped with 75 pounds of spices certainly there would be much more evidence of such on the linen if it were real.

Aside 2: Jesus’ future resurrection was NOT a secret! It is written in Mt 27:62-66 the Jews KNEW the prophesy and that is why they wanted Pilate to place a guard at the tomb. Not only were the Jews aware of Jesus’ future resurrection, but Jesus had told his Apostles about it several times himself (Mt 16:21, 17:9, 22-23; Mk 8:31; Lk 9:21-22, 18:33)!

From the time Jesus breathed his last, he entered heaven. This is known because he told the criminal who believed, “THIS DAY you will be WITH ME in paradise.” Jesus’ presence in heaven is also affirmed because of what is found John 13:3. Jesus did not descend into hell after his death and before his resurrection as some believe, Jesus experienced hell (God’s wrath) during what I call his “Three Hour Eternity” (See post from 4/17/2014).

Application: The day between Friday and Sunday for Christians today is a time to reflect deeply upon the events leading up to Jesus’ death. It is a time to embrace the depth of love God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit displayed to bring about salvation. It is a time to remember that after Friday, there is RESURRECTION SUNDAY.