In the book of Matthew (Matthew 27:57-66), we read in the passage about the precise details of the burial of Jesus. He wasn't thrown in the ground, placed in a mausoleum or forgotten. Everything went down in just three days and the rest is history.
Here's the background on Joseph and his preparation for the body of Jesus.
Joseph of Arimathea:
1) took the body
2) wrapped it in a clean linen
3) placed it in his own new tomb
4) tomb he cut out of the rock
5) rolled a big stone in front
6) he left
What I love the most?He BORROWED the tomb! Jesus never took permanent residency (6 feet under).
That's right, it wasn't meant to hold Him. The sting of death didn't take.
The enemies of Christ anticipated a potential issue if He was to survive the tomb or perhaps be taken. Yet we later find that His death & his adversaries couldn't stop Him.
The empty tomb found just three days later shattered the grip of death. We also see the earth shook, the stone guarding the body was rolled away and His appearance was like lightening (Matt 28:1-4). He's back that quickly.
Now we can respond to death:
O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?
O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?
If you read 1 Corinthians 15 (the entire chapter), you can further read about the resurrection. It's a great read on His resurrection and our response. And what's the conclusion?
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord." 1 Corinthians 15:58
Never look at the death & resurrection of Jesus as an endpoint, rather the beginning He provided us through the cross. The sting of death isn't intended for those who receive the gift of salvation offered through Jesus. Don't miss that aspect of Easter in the midst of colorful pastel eggs, a bunny and tons of candy.
Through the act of a simple lamb of God, our sins can be covered today. That's the good news. And the sting of death? It's gone.
