Laid in the Tomb
Luke 23.50-54:
Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, who had not consented to their decision and action – and he was looking for the kingdom of God.
This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning.
After Jesus died and was taken down from the cross, He was laid to rest in a tomb provided by Joseph, who was from the Jewish town of Arimathea, about 20 miles away. Joseph happened to also be a member of the Sanhedrin, but was opposed to the trial and crucifixion of Jesus.
Joseph believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah according to Scripture, but feared the consequence of acknowledging this belief publicly. (John 19.38) After Jesus died, he went to Pilate in secret, requesting the body of Jesus so that he might provide a proper burial.
This account is another confirmation that Jesus (rather than simply suffering) truly and actually died and was buried. For leaders of countless other human movements, religions, and institutions, this was and would be the end of them all, for both the leader and often the group.
But the glory of Christ is that this did not mark an ending, but the truest of beginnings, the doorway to the true light splitting through the darkness, and (with the coming of Easter morning) the grand and glorious resurrection.
It is to this that we look with hope and with joy – for today and for all of eternity.