5 Oct (Matt 27:55-61)

The Gospels: Jesus in the Grave

Matthew 27

(v.55) This is one thing I point out to my daughters...the Christian faith cherishes women! Probably the most devoted and obedient followers of Christ were the many women who administered to Him and the disciples. Unlike Islam and other false faiths, women are not to be viewed as servants in Christianity. As God put it in Gen 2:18, He made woman to be a compliment to man.

True, the man is to be the head of the household, but the woman is an equal contributor in the home, and equal in the eyes of Christ. Gal 3:28

I stress to my daughters, that only the women remained with Christ in His hour of struggle. Only John of the disciples stayed, but the women were faithful.

One other note...the Mary who is the mother of James and Joses (Jude)...that is Mary the mother of Jesus! Mary had other children after Jesus, for we also know this by the testimony of James and Jude, and the word of Matthew in Matt 13:55

(v.57) It was dangerous to be a follower of Christ, and especially after they had crucified Christ, the follower felt they would be next. So why did Joseph of Arimathea approach Pilate? It seems that Joseph was wealthy, and a powerful man in that culture. He probably knew Pilate and had conversations with him from time to time. Also, we see that Pilate didn't want to crucify Jesus, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Pilate in heaven, for he may have come to faith because of the events that unfolded before him!

(v.60) Another reason Joseph was allowed to take this dead "criminal" and bury Him, was to fulfill prophecy. Of course, Pilate didn't know this, but God was working all the time!

We see this if we read Isaiah 53:

And they made His grave with the wicked - but with the rich at His death. Because He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth. Isaiah 53:9

This was fulfilled perfectly!!! Jesus was condemned and killed with the wicked, on the very rock that Abraham was to offer his son, Isaac, on many years before. And in that same rock, a rich man gave Him his grave to be put to rest.

(v.61) We all feel for Mary Magdalene for Jesus was her life...He saved her from a lifestyle of pain, shame and torment, and He gave her a new life. She would not leave Him! What an example she is for all of us!