His Grave with the Wicked

January 25-26, 2014 - His Grave with the Wicked – Manna by Dorothy Callies

Isaiah 53:9 “And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (KJV).

“He had done no wrong, and he never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave” (NLT). *This phrase may simply indicate that Jesus Christ would die alongside the wicked, or that the Roman soldiers intended to bury Him with the two thieves. Yet, as here Isaiah had prophesied, He was buried in the grave of a rich man. [*Note from Full Life Study Bible]

John 19:38-42 NLT “Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body down. When Pilate gave him permission, he came and took the body away. ³⁹Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night, also came, bringing about seventy-five pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰Together they wrapped Jesus’ body in a long linen cloth with the spices, as is the Jewish custom of burial. ⁴¹The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. ⁴² And so, because it was the day of preparation before the Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.”

*Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus were secret followers of Jesus. They were afraid to make this allegiance known because of their positions in the Jewish community. Joseph was a leader and honored member of the Jewish high council. Nicodemus, also a member of the high council, had come to Jesus by night (3:1) and later tried to defend Him before the other religious leaders (7:50-52). Yet they risked their reputations to provide for Jesus’ burial. This tomb was probably a cave carved out of the limestone hillside. It was large enough for a person to walk into, so Joseph and Nicodemus carried Jesus’ body into it. A large stone was rolled in front of the entrance. [*Note from QVLAB]

John 19:39-40 tell us that Nicodemus brought 75 pounds of embalming ointment made from myrrh and aloes to cover Jesus’ body. Joseph and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body with fresh long linen cloth with the spices since it was the Jewish custom of burial. Joseph and Nicodemus had completed the burial of Jesus and they had the large stone rolled to close the cave before the Sabbath began at sundown.

From this scripture, it was the first time I realized that Joseph of Arimathea had help, Nicodemus to help him out with Christ’s burial in a cave. God must have spoken to their hearts. Jesus, our Savior had put His complete trust in them to do the work that they needed to do. Isaiah 53:9 has brought the fulfillment about Jesus’ grave through the New Testament Scriptures. 

Song: Jesus Paid It All

I hear the Savior say,

“Thy strength indeed is small;

Child of weakness, watch and pray,

Find in Me thine all in all.”

Chorus:

Jesus paid it all;

All to Him I owe;

Sin had left a crimson stain;

He washed it white as snow.

(Lyrics: Elvina Mabel Hall, Sing His Praise)