The Father's Menu
Apostle Dr. Richard Udoh
Saturday, April 16, 2022
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BURIAL OF CHRIST “
Then a man named Joseph, a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, from the city of Arimathea in Judea, went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. He was a godly man who had been expecting the Messiah's coming and had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other Jewish leaders. So he took down Jesus' body and wrapped it in a long linen cloth and laid it in a new, unused tomb hewn into the rock [at the side of a hill]. This was done late on Friday afternoon, the day of preparation for the Sabbath.”
Luke 23:50-54 (TLB)
Main Text: Romans 6:3-4
The burial of Jesus Christ is unique. It’s different on a number of diverse fronts. The burial of Jesus ensures that the resurrection of Jesus was just that: a resurrection from the dead. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus prepared Jesus' body for burial, and buried Him in a new tomb, in which no other body had yet been laid (John 19:38-42). These men could testify that there was no life in the body they buried. He had not "swooned," lost consciousness, or fainted. He had truly died. Therefore, if in three days He were alive, the burial proved that He had risen from death to new life.
God turned His back on Jesus because our sins were laid on Him. Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that God is holy and doesn’t behold iniquity. The separation from the Father, on account of our sins, was what Jesus never wanted, for which He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you be willing, take this cup away from me, nevertheless not my will, but your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). The Father’s will prevailed. Jesus died on the Cross, and descended into hell. He was put to grief. Upon taking all the punishment that was necessary, the Bible says He was justified in the Spirit (1 Timothy 3:16) and was raised back to life. He was raised to life for our justification: “Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
The burial of Jesus Christ is unique because if fulfilled Scriptures concerning it. How it transpired and who was involved and where it happened also made it unique. Many unbelievers still think that the burial of Jesus is a hoax. Our opening scripture tells us exactly the significance of water baptism: it’s a testimony of your faith in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When you’re dipped into water in baptism, you’re declaring that you’ve identified with Him in His death and burial. When you’re brought out of the water, it’s symbolic of His resurrection; you’re thus affirming that you now walk in newness of life. Glory to God! This is why every Christian must be baptized in water; it’s a symbol of salvation, but not in the same sense as the salvation of taking away your sins; it’s the salvation of a good conscience towards God.
Prayer
The Word of God is the light of my life, and by the Word, I see and take a hold of my righteousness and inheritance in Christ, walking in holiness and manifesting the glory of God everywhere. Now I stand justified forever in God’s presence, with dominion over sin and circumstances, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Reading
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Read through the Bible in 1 year: Joshua 13:1-14:15 Luke 18:1-17 Psalm 85:1-13 Proverbs 13:7-8
Read through the Bible in 2 years: Deut 14.3-16.17 & Psalm 106
