Archives for April 2025

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the crucifixion, death, and burial of Christ. Next week we will look at the Passover.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Joseph of Arimathea provides his own tomb for Jesus’ burial. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary observe where Jesus is laid.

Matthew 27:57–61 describes Jesus’ burial and the watch placed over His tomb. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy follower of Jesus, asks for Jesus’ body. Pilate agrees. Joseph wraps Jesus’ body in a clean linen shroud and places it in his own, never-used tomb, which is cut out of the rock in a garden. (https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-57.html)

The Guard at the Tomb

62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

The chief priests and Pharisees secure Pilate’s permission to seal and guard the tomb to prevent Jesus’ disciples from stealing His body and claiming resurrection.

Jesus’ enemies ask Pilate to place Roman soldiers at the grave site. They seek to prevent anyone from stealing His body and claiming He has been resurrected. Pilate agrees. The tomb is sealed. A guard is posted. These events are also seen in Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, and John 19:38–42. (https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-62.html)

Conclusion

Matthew 27 is a heart-wrenching narrative of Jesus’ last hours, showcasing the depths of His sacrifice for humanity. It includes the remorse and suicide of Judas, Jesus’ trial before Pilate, His crucifixion, and burial. The chapter concludes with the chief priests and Pharisees securing the tomb to prevent Jesus’ resurrection prophecy from being fulfilled fraudulently.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the crucifixion, death, and burial of Christ. Next week we will look at the Passover.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-30)

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

After three hours of darkness, Jesus cries out and gives up His spirit. Miraculous signs occur: the temple curtain tears in two, the earth shakes, and many holy people are resurrected.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus’ friends, watch from a distance.(https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-45.html)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Today we continue our series on the Passover and resurrection of Jesus. 

This week we will look at the crucifixion, death, and burial of Christ. Next week we will look at the Passover.

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 69:1-36; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-43; John 19:16-27)

32And as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name: him they compelled to bear his cross.

33And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, 34They gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drink.

35And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. 36And sitting down they watched him there; 37And set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. 39And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, 40And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. 41Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, 42He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. 43He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. 44The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

Jesus is mocked and beaten by the soldiers before being led to Golgotha, where He is crucified alongside two robbers. Bystanders and religious leaders mock Him as He hangs on the cross.

Matthew 27:32–44 describes Jesus’ march to the cross, aided by a man named Simon of Cyrene. Jesus is offered a numbing, bitter wine, but refuses it, and is nailed to the cross. Soldiers gamble for His clothes. A somewhat sarcastic sign above Him reads “the King of the Jews.” Observers, including several Jewish religious leaders, mock Jesus for not being able to save Himself. Even the criminals being executed on either side of Jesus insult Him. Mark 15:20–32, Luke 23:36–43, and John 19:16–27 cover this same process.(https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-32.html)

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1-31; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-30)

45Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. 46And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? 47Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias. 48And straightway one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink. 49The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him. 50Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. 51And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; 52And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. 54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.

55And many women were there beholding afar off, which followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: 56Among which was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee’s children.

After three hours of darkness, Jesus cries out and gives up His spirit. Miraculous signs occur: the temple curtain tears in two, the earth shakes, and many holy people are resurrected.

Matthew 27:45–56 describes the climactic moment when Jesus dies on the cross. Darkness falls over Israel as Jesus hangs near death. Jesus cries out the words of Psalm 22:1, which mean “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some nearby think He is calling for Elijah the prophet to come and save Him. Jesus dies. Immediately, the massive temple curtain is torn in two, top to bottom. Earthquakes open the tombs of some of the saints of Israel, who are later resurrected. A Roman centurion is shocked enough to declare that Jesus was the Son of God. Three women, Jesus’ friends, watch from a distance.(https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-45.html)

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9-12; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)

57When the even was come, there came a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who also himself was Jesus’ disciple: 58He went to Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be delivered. 59And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60And laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed. 61And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre.

Joseph of Arimathea provides his own tomb for Jesus’ burial. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary observe where Jesus is laid.

Matthew 27:57–61 describes Jesus’ burial and the watch placed over His tomb. Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy follower of Jesus, asks for Jesus’ body. Pilate agrees. Joseph wraps Jesus’ body in a clean linen shroud and places it in his own, never-used tomb, which is cut out of the rock in a garden. (https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-57.html)

The Guard at the Tomb

62Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. 66So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

The chief priests and Pharisees secure Pilate’s permission to seal and guard the tomb to prevent Jesus’ disciples from stealing His body and claiming resurrection.

Jesus’ enemies ask Pilate to place Roman soldiers at the grave site. They seek to prevent anyone from stealing His body and claiming He has been resurrected. Pilate agrees. The tomb is sealed. A guard is posted. These events are also seen in Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, and John 19:38–42. (https://www.bibleref.com/Matthew/27/Matthew-27-62.html)

Conclusion

Matthew 27 is a heart-wrenching narrative of Jesus’ last hours, showcasing the depths of His sacrifice for humanity. It includes the remorse and suicide of Judas, Jesus’ trial before Pilate, His crucifixion, and burial. The chapter concludes with the chief priests and Pharisees securing the tomb to prevent Jesus’ resurrection prophecy from being fulfilled fraudulently.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com