by Timothy W. Burnett
From Mark's record we learn that Pilate wondered if Jesus were already dead. He sent a centurion to check on Jesus' status. God must have a special reason for including this information. It does seem to show that Pilate may have been surprised to hear of Jesus' death.
Later, Nicodemus joined Joseph in the task of burying Jesus' body. He carried a rooled up mixture of myrrh and aloes that wighed about one hundred pounds. He was the same man who came to Jesus during the late night hours with questions. Please note that both Joseph and Nicodemus followed Jesus secretly out of fear of the Jews, but boldly secured Jesus' body and buried it without fear. The amazing events that occurred during and after Jesus' death no doubt built up their hearts to the point that they no longer feared the Jewish leadership.
They wrapped Jesus' body in expensive fine linen along with the mixture of spices supplied by Nicodemus, and buried him in a grave that was near the place of his crucifixion (John 9:39-41).
While the two men took care of Jesus' body, two women watched closely from near-by to see how it was done. We don't know if the women watched in secret, but they apparently noticed that the men missed some important details. We know this because they later returned to finish the job. It is pooible that the men intentionally left out some things because they expected Jesus to be resurrected from the dead.
According to Matthew 27:62-66, the chief priests and pharisees assembled to make a request to Pilate. They told him that Jesus said he would be raised from the daed after three days and three nights, and asked him to post guards to secure the grave so that his disciples would not steal his body and deceitfully declare his resurrection. Pilate gave them the authority to secure it as best as they could.
They went to such great lengths to secure the tomb. Yet we will learn later that after his resurrection, they paid the guards to say the body was stolen.
Unlike the chief priests and Pharisees, we praise and glorify God for His power and love which is in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior.
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