Sunday School Lessons

MARCH 6, 2016

 

A NEW LEADER FOR THE NEW GENERATION

 

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Joshua is the first book in the Bible to bear the name of its principle character. That fact is significant because the name Joshua means God’s salvation. Oshes = salvation; Jehoshua = God’s salvation. Moses represents the law which cannot save because of the weakness of the flesh while Joshua is clearly a type of the greater Joshua (Jeshua, Jesus). He had been set apart (Deut. 34:9) to lead the people of Israel as the captain of their salvation. From his first introduction in Scripture Joshua is seen as a great warrior. (Ex. 17:9-14) He was a man full of the spirit of wisdom; one in whom God had put His name (Num. 13:16; 27:18) Moses’ death is recorded at the close of the Pentateuch, (Deut. 34:5) and his chosen successor must now assume his place of leadership, and take the people of Israel over Jordan into the land of promise. Joshua thus marks the end of their wilderness wanderings, and their entrance in to the land.

2.  Each book of the Bible is of special importance making its own indispensable contribution to the whole of the divine revelation. Joshua is the proper sequel to the books of Moses, forming the vital link between the books of the law and the other books of history which come after it.

3.  Joshua pertains to the period of Israel’s reinstatement as a nation, of which the books of Moses were prophetic and preparatory. The credibility of Moses’ writings thus depends upon Joshua as the prophetic fulfillment of much that he wrote about the people, the land, and Joshua himself. Without the book of Joshua, there is a gap left in the sacred history that cannot otherwise be supplied.

4.  The spiritual significance of the book of Joshua is seen in its twofold typology.

a)  In one sense, Joshua is a type of our great Savior leading His people across the spiritual Jordan into the Promised Land.  Canaan in this case is picturing heaven.

b)  In another sense, Joshua is a type of Christ the Mighty Conqueror, leading His militant church, conquering now, and still to conquer. In this case the conquest of Canaan pictures the establishment of Christ’ Kingdom in the earth. Of course, the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of (Satan’s) strongholds. (II Cor. 10:5)

c)  So Joshua typically sets forth how the chosen people of God actually come to possess the promised inheritance. In one sense it speaks of heaven which believers receive as a gift, and enter when they come to cross over the Jordan of death. In another sense it sets forth battles and struggles, victories and failures that they experience in coming to possess their Canaan land.

5.  Now to begin our study of the book of Joshua we will consider from the first nine verses the call and commission of  Israel’s new leader – a new leader for the new generation. Only two remain from the first generation that came out of Egypt; Joshua and Caleb, and Joshua is God’s chosen leader to take them into the Promised Land.

I.  THE CALL AND COMMISSION OF JOSHUA. (VERSES 1, 2)

A.  THE OCCASION OF JOSHUA’S CALL TO LEAD THE PEOPLE WAS THE DEATH OF MOSES, THEIR FORMER LEADER. “…AFTER THE DEATH OF MOSES.”

1.  Note the honor that is given to faithful ministers. “Moses, the servant of the Lord,” was clearly the title by which Moses was known. The Lord Himself here spoke to Joshua, and said, “Moses, MY SERVANT is dead.” 

a)  The title of servant is applied to the heaven and the earth (Psa. 117:91); to the angels (Job 4:18); to the prophets (Jer. 7:25); to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Ex. 19:5); to the faithful in general (Psa. 34:23); and, of course, to Christ Himself (Zech. 3:8), of Whom Moses is so clear a type.

b)  Moses was uniquely the servant of God. He was the Lord’s household steward, as it were, overseeing the people of God.

c)  God takes special notice of the deaths of His servants. Moses’ death was very private, and the place of his burial was a secret, but God knew all about it. As the death of His saints is precious in His sight, it was doubtless so when the Lord called Moses home to his eternal rest.

d)  There was a time of mourning assigned for Moses that lasted thirty days. Though time was precious, everything was put on hold, even the installation of his successor, out of respect for Moses, that his memory might be honored. (Deut. 34:8)

2.  Observe also how the work of God is not dependent upon any man, even one of such extraordinary ability and usefulness as Moses. “Moses my servant is dead, now therefore arise, go over this Jordan.”

a)  The people may have reasoned, “Moses is dead, THEREFORE we cannot go on.”

b)  Moses was dead, but God was not, and He said, “THEREFORE arise, go over this Jordan.” Moses’ death was seen as necessary. “THEREFORE arise.”

3.  Observe again that the Lord had prepared and groomed the successor to Moses under his own hand. “The Lord spake unto JOSHUA…MOSES’ MINISTER.”

a)  How Joshua must now have valued those years of apprenticeship as he ministered under Moses in matters of religion and government.

b)  It is God’s purpose for us that we be nurtured and prepared for service as we learn at the feet of His ministers.

4.  Observe how in type this so beautifully applies to Christ. (our Joshua)

a)  As Joshua ministered under Moses, the great law giver, so Christ was made under the law. (Gal. 4:4) the law could not save us and bring us into the heavenly Canaan, but it was, however, our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ, Who can. (Gal. 3:21-29)

b)  The law could never give us our inheritance, therefore Moses must die, and Joshua must arise. (Rom. 3:20-22)

c)  It is Christ alone Who has through death conquered death and as the Captain of our salvation shall bring His many sons to glory. (Heb. 2:10)

B.  THE CALL OF JOSHUA AS IT CAME DIRECTLY FROM THE LORD HIMSELF. “THEREFORE ARISE, GO OVER THIS JORDAN.”

II.  THE ENCOURAGEMENT THAT JOSHUA WAS GIVEN AS MOSES’ SUCCESSOR. (VERSES 3-6)

A.  GOD HAD GIVEN THE LAND OF CANAAN TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL. (VERSE 3)

1.  The land that was at the time occupied by various heathen nations (the Amalekites, Hittites, Jebusites, Amorites, etc.) had been given to Moses in covenant promise. (Deut. 11:24)

2.  The Lord said to Moses, “every place…shall be yours…” (not absolutely, but in the Promised Land) either in possession, or by dominion, upon condition of their obedience. “For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, and to cleave unto Him.” (Deut. 11:22)

3.  The encouragement here given to Joshua incorporates this essential condition as well. (Verses 8, 9)

B.  THE BOUNDARIES THAT WERE FIXED IN THE COVENANT PROMISE ARE HERE REITERATED. (VERSE 4; DEUT. 11:24)

1.  Because of their own sin and unbelief they came short of what could have been theirs.

2.  It is a shame that through unbelief and failure to meet the necessary conditions we rob ourselves of blessings that obedient faith could have gained from God’s hand.

3.  Every place within those set boundaries whereupon they set the sole of their foot was theirs to possess according to the word of their God.

4.  Let us strive through obedient faith and courage to lay hold of every blessing that those in covenant with God have a right to claim.

C.  JOSHUA WAS ASSURED THE UNFAILING HELP OF GOD WHICH MOSES KNEW. (VERSE 5)

1.  Joshua would take this promise to heart. “I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.”

2.  We too are given essentially the same promise by our mighty Savior. “I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13:5)

D.  JOSHUA WAS GREATLY ENCOURAGED BY THE CERTAINTY WITH WHICH THE LORD FORETOLD HIS DIVIDING OF THE LAND. (VERSE 6)

1.  They had not as yet entered the fight, nevertheless the Lord, Who alone knows the end from the beginning said, as a matter of fact, “…for unto the people shalt thou divide the land.”

2.  We need not worry about outcomes with respect to the mission of the church. “It shall be even as he hath said.”

3.  God’s elect can therefore read their title clear, because God’s purpose cannot fail. (Rom. 8:30)

III.  THE CHARGE GIVEN TO JOSHUA AS THE NEW LEADER. (VERSES 7-9)

A.  HE MUST TAKE A STRONG AND COURAGEOUS STAND FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS. (VERSE 7)

1.  Though Joshua was the captain and commander of the people, he was God’s servant and subject, and obligated to observe all of His commandments.

2.  His adherence was to be unwavering, regardless of what pressures might be put upon him to compromise. “Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.”

3.  Exactness with respect to God’s law would be the key to his prosperity. “…that thou mayest prosper…”

B.  HE MUST MAKE GOD’S LAW HIS MEDITATION AS WELL AS HIS INSTRUCTION. (VERSE 8)

1.  He was to constantly read the Book of the Law, and when needful, speak of it. “…shall not depart out of thy mouth.” All instructions given and judgments made were to be according to this rule.

2.  All of his private actions as well as public administrations must be done “according to all that is written therein.”

3.  Joshua was to so imbibe the law of God as to saturate his mind and soul with it. He must not follow any advice that would run contrary to it.

4.  Strict adherence to divine truth is the great duty of every minister of God. May we never be willing to compromise any word of it for sake of convenience or expedience or acceptance with men.

5.  The way of true prosperity and good success is never found in compromise, but rather, in strict adherence to the Word of God.

C.  HE MUST BE STRONGLY RESOLVED TO FOLLOW THE RULE OF GOD’S LAW. (VERSE 9a)

1.  The Lord knew that Joshua would be challenged and tested respecting this matter. None walk according to God’s Law unchallenged.

2.  It takes great resolve and courage to stand and keep on standing consistently, day in and day out, for truth and righteousness. (Verse 7a)

D.  JOSHUA WAS GIVEN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE INCENTIVE TO FOLLOW GOD’S HOLY RULE. (VERSE 9b)

1.  Joshua was given assurance that in this holy commitment and mission he would have God’s companionship and support. “For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

2.  Those who with conscience and conviction stand for truth do not stand alone. The Lord their God is with them, and He will not fail them or forsake them.

 

FEBRUARY 14, 2016

 

THE RISEN SAVIOR AND THE GREAT COMMISSION

INTRODUCTION:

1.  In these verses we have abundant proof that our Lord Jesus Christ really rose again from the dead. In this one passage, Mark records no less than three distinct occasions on which He was seen after His resurrection. First, he tells us, our Lord appeared to one witness, to Mary Magdalene; then to two witnesses, two disciples walking in the country; lastly, to eleven witnesses, the eleven apostles all assembled together.

2.  Let us remember, in addition to these, many other appearances are described by other New Testament writers. (See I Cor. 15:5, 6) This essential truth of the Christian religion has been well attested. No fact of history has been more thoroughly established than that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. We ought to thank God that the fact of the resurrection is so clearly established. The Jews, the Gentiles, the priests, the Roman guard, the women who went to the tomb, the disciples who were so backward to believe, are all witnesses whose testimony cannot be gainsaid.

3.  There is a great mercy in this. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the foundation stones of Christianity. It was the seal of the great work that He came on earth to do. It was the crowning proof that the ransom He paid for sinners was accepted, the atonement for sin accomplished, the victory won over death, hell, and the grave.

4.  The upbraiding that the disciples received from the Lord for not immediately believing the report of His resurrection was well-deserved. Yet, the manner and circumstances of their being convinced would serve to establish in them the unshakeable conviction of a risen Savior.

I.  THREE APPEARANCES OF THE RISEN CHRIST. (VERSES 9-14) The Lord had repeatedly explained to His disciples what His mission was in coming to Jerusalem. (Matt. 16:21-28; 20:18, 19; Mark 8:31ff; Luke 9:22-27)  He had clearly told them that He would be killed and be raised again the third day. This prediction was not a household secret, as is obvious from what the Pharisees said to Pilate after His burial. “We remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, after three days I will rise again.” (Matt. 27:63) Why then were the disciples so backward to believe the reports of, first one, then two eye-witnesses to whom He made appearances? Another question that begs an answer is why were the first witnesses themselves seemingly oblivious to what they saw and heard, at least at first. The answers to these questions are given us. (Luke 9:45; 24:16; John 20:9, etc.) Still, as for why these things were hid from them, we are not told. We do know, however, that the condition remained until the Lord Himself opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures. (Luke 24:45; see also Luke 24:25-27, 44-48) Perhaps this helps to explain the strange reaction to the following reports from these to whom He appeared.

A.  CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO MARY MAGDALENE. (VERSES 9-11)

1.  It seems that she was the first to see Him alive, certainly the first to whom He appeared. This was itself an honor bestowed by the risen Christ upon this woman. In this, He honored women generally, but especially this dear redeemed soul, who was called from a life of scarlet sin; snatched from the miserable domination and deadly grip of seven devils.

a)  How thoroughly Christ cleanses and forgives sinners! Her former life was gone, and so was his remembrance of her past uncleanness.

b)  How grateful was this dear woman for sins forgiven! She expressed her sincere gratitude in practical acts of  service and devotion. (Luke 8:2, 3) Her coming to the tomb at this time was yet another expression of her great love. Jesus would say that she loved much because she had been forgiven much. (Luke 7:47)

c)  Coming to the tomb after three days expecting to find Christ’s body within was itself an indication of her unbelief. The angel had said to her, “He is not here, he is risen, AS HE SAID.” (Matt. 28:6 – emphasis added) Jesus nevertheless acknowledged her great love by allowing her this most extraordinary honor.

2.  Mary bore the glorious news to the place where the disciples were gathered, expecting to break through the gloom and turn their sadness into joy. There is no better cure for sorrow than the knowledge of a risen Savior; however, they would not be comforted, for they refused to believe her report.

B.  CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO TWO DISCIPLES AS THEY WERE WALKING IN THE COUNTRY. (VERSES 12, 13)

1.  This appearance is without doubt that which Luke records much more fully in his gospel. (Luke 24:13-31) We have there the amazing story about the exchange between Christ and two disciples on the road to Emmaus.

2.  He is here said to have appeared to them in another form, perhaps not in His ordinary apparel. Mary mistook Him for the gardener. (John 20:150 Luke says of the Emmaus road disciples, that “their eyes were holden, that they should not know him.” This would suggest that His countenance was not changed, but they were prevented somehow from being able to recognize Him.

3.  These two witnesses, being satisfied in themselves that it was indeed Christ who appeared to them, went and told the gathered disciples.

4.  Their witness was not believed any more than was Mary’s. “…neither believed they them.”

5.  Again, we must ask why this strange providence? Why were they so hard to convince of the reality of a matter of which Christ had told them, and was so important to the faith? One thing is certain, when those who were so slow to believe became convinced of this truth, it added much weight to their own witness when they began to declare and defend it, and were even willing to die for it.

C.  CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO THE ELEVEN. (VERSE 14)

1.  Christ came in person to the place where the disciples were. He stood in their midst and He ate with them. (See Peter referring to this particular detail at the house of Cornelius in Acts 10:41)

2.  And still, when He appeared to them, He upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, for even then some doubted. (See Matt. 28:17)

3.  And though they had not seen Him for themselves until now, they still deserved to be upbraided for rejecting the true witness of Mary and the Emmaus disciples. The evidences of the true Gospel are so full, that those who receive it not are justly upbraided. There is no deficiency in the proofs; unbelief is due to hardness of heart.

4.  It was not until the Lord opened their understanding that they might understand the Scriptures that they truly believed. This is always the case. True faith is not based upon physical proofs or natural influence, but it rather comes by the Word of God ministered by the Holy Spirit.

II.  THE COMMISSION WHICH THE RISEN CHRIST GAVE TO THE ELEVEN. (VERSES 15-18)

A.  THE COMMISSION WAS TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL THE WORLD. (VERSE 15)

1.  Thus, they were to set up His Kingdom among men by the preaching of the Gospel.

2.  They are no longer sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, but to all the world, to every creature, regardless of race, color, or creed.

3.  These eleven men could not themselves fulfill such a commission, but as founders of the church, they would establish that which by the power and direction of Christ would reach the whole world with the Gospel. This little group was as the tiny seed that would produce a great tree whose branches would reach out to all the world. (Matt. 13:31, 32) It was like unto the leaven which spreads throughout and permeates the whole loaf.  (Matt. 13:33)

B.  THE ETERNAL STATE AND DESTINY OF ALL MEN DEPENDS UPON HOW THEY HEAR THE GOSPEL. (VERSES 16)

1.  Those who repent and believe the Gospel shall be saved. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”  That is, he that so believes as to turn from sin to Christ, who willingly confesses himself to be a follower of  Christ, shall be saved. Christ does not commit Himself to secret disciples.

2.  Those who reject Christ and the Gospel and believeth not, shall be damned.

C.  THE APOSTOLIC POWERS OF CONFIRMATION FOR THE GOSPEL THEY WERE TO PREACH. (VERSES 17, 18)

1.  Not that all of these signs were produced in all who believed, but rather in those who were employed in propagating the faith.

2.  We find examples of some of these confirming signs in the early church in the New Testament. Of others, some instances are taken note of in early church history as having occurred. For example, we have no record in the New Testament of anyone surviving ingesting deadly poison given them by enemies of the Gospel;  however, early church history confirms that such a thing did on occasion occur.

III.  THE ASCENSION OF CHRIST BACK TO THE FATHER IN HEAVEN. (VERSES 19, 20)

A.  HE WAS RECEIVED UP INTO HEAVEN. (VERSE 19)

1.  All of the heavenly world welcomed Him home.

2.  He was especially received by God the Father.

3.  He ascended to His place of power, authority, and mediation.

a)  He is there as the God-man.

b)  He has received His mediatorial office.

c)  This place of authority and office He earned through His incarnation and redeeming work. (Phil. 2:5-11)

B.  HE IS RECEIVED ALSO IN THE WORLD BELOW. (VERSE 20)

1.  Part of the great mystery of godliness is that Christ is both believed on in the world, and received up into glory. (I Tim. 3:16)

2.  Through the preaching of the Gospel, Christ is believed on, and received into the hearts of men.

3.  Jesus promised that in going away, i.e. back to heaven, He would be sending the Holy Spirit, so that in this work He would be with us always, even to the end of the age. (John 14:16, 17, 26; 16:7; Matt. 28:18-20)

 

 

FEBRUARY 7, 2016

 

THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST

INTRODUCTION:

1.  Christ, having given up the ghost, His lifeless body was not allowed to hang there on the cross. God had put it into the heart of Joseph of Arimathea, an honorable counselor, to obtain permission from Pilate to take it down and give it a proper burial. Not only was Christ’s body not buried according to the manner in which the state would ordinarily dispose of the bodies of those who were executed, but as Isaiah had predicted, “He made his grave…with the rich in his death.” Joseph, after himself taking Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in costly, fine linen, and placed it in his own new tomb.

2.  Mary Magdalene and the other Mary had observed this, and doubtless would have prepared spices and ointments to anoint the body at that time, but had to postpone their plans because of the preparation of the Sabbath. It was nearing six o’clock in the evening, which was the time when the preparation began, thus they had no choice but to return after the Sabbath was past, which they did, as we see here. They were not able, however, to follow through with their good work, seeing the body of their Lord was not there.

I.  CHRIST’S RESURRECTION ANNOUNCED BY AN ANGEL TO THE WOMEN WHO CAME TO THE SEPULCHRE FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANOINTING HIM. (VERSES 1-8)

A.  THE AFFECTIONATE VISIT WHICH THE GOOD WOMEN MADE TO THE SEPULCHRE. (VRS. 1, 2)

1.  Mary Magdalene and Mary the wife of Alphaeus, and mother of James the less (mother also of Joese and Salome) came to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus. This they most likely would have done before, when He was placed in the tomb, but since the preparation for the Sabbath began at six o’clock that evening, they had not enough time. Thus, they rose up very early in the morning on the first day of the week and returned to the sepulchre to perform their good work.

2.  They brought sweet spices to perfume Jesus’ body. It was this pious service that was prefigured by a dear woman at Bethany, as our Lord there noted. (Ch. 14:8)

3.  Nicodemus had bought a very large quantity of dry spices, myrrh and aloes, which were used with the linen cloth. (John 19:39) These women did not think that enough, therefore they brought spices perhaps of another kind, such as perfumed oils, to anoint Him.

B.  THE GREAT CONCERN THE WOMEN HAD REGARDING GETTING HELP REMOVING THE STONE FROM THE OPENING OF THE TOMB. (VERSES 3, 4)

1.  Being so focused on what they were coming there to do, they failed to make the necessary arrangements for this problem.

2.  It was as they were making their way to the sepulchre that they suddenly realized they had a problem. Here they were, the sun was not yet risen, nobody would be there at that hour, and they, with their combined strength would be unable to move the stone, for it was great.

3.  Had they known all that had been done they would have been concerned about a still greater problem. At the Jews’ request, Pilate had ordered a watch to be set to secure the sepulchre against theft of Jesus’ body. (Matt. 27:62-66)

4.  As it turned out, neither of these things were a problem, for “when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away.” (Verse 4)

C.  THE ASSURANCE THAT WAS GIVEN THEM BY AN ANGEL, THAT JESUS WAS RISEN FROM THE DEAD. (VERSES 5-7)

1.  The women entered into the tomb. They went far enough within to see that the body of Jesus was not where they had before observed it being placed.

2.  They, upon entering the sepulcher, saw what appeared to be a young man, but was in fact an angel who appeared in the likeness of a man. He was clothed in a long white garment.

3.  At first sight of him they were frightened. Already upset that Jesus body was gone, they were doubtless on edge. Many times we fall prey to our emotions, thus becoming terrified at what divine providence sent for our comfort.

4.  The angel, knowing their thoughts, and the reason they were frightened, quickly quelled their fears. “He saith to them, be not affrighted.”

5.  Not only did the angel speak to calm their fears, he announced the great reason for triumph and rejoicing.

a)  This angel had descended from heaven. It was he who had rolled away the stone, and he was sitting on it when the women arrived. (Matt. 28:1, 2) He had not rolled back the stone to take the body of Jesus, or to allow His escape, but to expose the empty tomb.

b)  He made clear that he knew their mission, but their mission was about to take a new direction. The angel acknowledged that they had come seeking the crucified Jesus that they might anoint His body. “He is risen,” said the angel, “He is not here, behold the place where they laid him.” (Verse 6)

6.  The angel assigns a new mission to the women. They had been faithful followers of Christ; now they shall have the honor of being first to announce His resurrection from the dead. (Verse 7)

a)  They must tell the disciples that Christ is risen. Knowing the awful sadness and despair of the disciples at this time, the angel said to the women, “Go quickly.” (See Matt. 28:7)

b)  They must be sure to announce the news to Peter particularly. Why so? Perhaps it was simply because Peter had been seen as the chief of the apostles. But, more likely, it was because Peter was yet in deep sorrow for his sin of denying his Lord. Perhaps he thought himself no longer worthy to be an apostle. There is no better news for a penitent to hear, since Christ rose again for their justification.

c)  They must tell the disciples that Christ is going before them into Galilee, and they are to meet Him there. (Verse 7)

(1)  Notice, this meeting in Galilee was to happen as He said unto them. (See Ch. 14:28; Matt. 26:32) This, like the other predictions He made to them concerning His death and resurrection, may not have registered with them, but now they shall recall it. (Example: John 2:22)

(2)  All the meetings between Christ and His disciples are of His own appointing. Christ never forgets His appointments, or the appointed blessings promised to them. In all meetings between Christ and His chosen ones, He is most forward to lead the way.

D.  THE REPORT WHICH THE WOMEN DID GIVE TO THE DISCIPLES AS THE ANGEL COMMANDED THEM. (VERSE 8)

1.  They quickly fled form the sepulchre trembling and amazed. They needed not to have been astonished, had they believed His words when He repeatedly said that the third day He would rise again. Had they truly heard His words, they would not have come to the tomb after three days expecting to find a dead body to anoint.

2.  They carried their message to the disciples, as they had been instructed, not sharing the news with anyone along the way. Again Mark tells us that they were afraid.

a)  Still trembling form the whole experience.

b)  Afraid not to do exactly as they had been commissioned.

c)  Afraid of the response that such a message might receive.

d)  May we not allow disquieting fears to hinder us from doing service to Christ, and declaring the good news that Christ is risen, and goes before to meet with His chosen ones.

II.  CHRIST’S APPEARANCE TO MARY MAGDALENE, AND THE ACCOUNT SHE GAVE OF IT TO THE DISCIPLES. (VERSES 9-11)

A.  HE APPEARED TO MARY MAGDALENE, FIRST TO HER IN THE GARDEN. (VERSE 9)

1.  It is noted that this is she out of whom He had cast seven devils. (Verse 9) Much had been forgiven her, and in turn, she loved much.

2.  This is the great honor that Christ did unto her that she was the first to see Him after His resurrection.

B.  MARY MAGDALENE REPORTED TO THE DISCIPLES WHAT SHE HAD SEEN, BUT HER REPORT WAS NOT BELIEVED. (VERSES 10, 11)

1.  She came to where the eleven and others were gathered mourning and weeping with the most glorious news that grieving souls could ever hope to hear. She told them that He was alive.

2.  They, however, refused to be comforted. Her report was plausible enough, and it agreed with Christ’s own repeated promise, yet they believed not.

3.  They, rather than accusing Mary of lying, probably suspected that this was some fancy of her own that she believed to be real and true.

4.  Had they believed the frequent predictions from His own mouth, they would not now have been so incredulous of her true testimony.

 

 

https://www.bbcstlouis.com/1373/

JANUARY 31, 2016

 

THE CRUCIFIXION OF CHRIST (CONTINUED)

INTRODUCTION:

In parts one and two of this study we considered Verses 15-41 under the following five headings:

I.  Christ was condemned by Pilate to be crucified. (Verses 15-21)

II.  Christ was crucified at the appointed time and place. (Verses 22-32)

III.  Christ was dying under the curse, signified by the sun being darkened. (Verses 33-41)

IV.  Christ’s death, a marvel that was attended and followed by many marvels. (Verses 37-39)

V.  Christ’s crucifixion mournfully viewed by friends who kept their distance. (Verses 40, 41)

In our present study we will be considering Verses 42-47.

VI.  CHRIST WAS BURIED IN A BORROWED TOMB. (VERSES 42-47)

A.  THE BODY OF CHRIST WAS CRAVED (BEGGED) FROM PILATE. (VERSES 42-43) The dead bodies of malefactors were at the disposal of the government. Ordinarily they did not receive an honorable burial, to be sure. Those who had demanded that Christ be crucified, and hurried Him to the cross, no doubt assumed that He would receive no better than to make His grave with the wicked.  However, God designed that He should make it with the rich in His death. (Isa. 53:9)

1.  We are told when the body of Jesus was begged in order to give it proper burial, and why such haste was made to see it done. (Verse 42)

a)  Even was come, and it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Passover. The first Passover Sabbath would actually begin at six o’clock in the evening. The first and seventh days of this  memorial feast were holy days, or Sabbath days. Evening was coming on, and shortly would begin the first Sabbath.

b)  The day before the Sabbath was a day of preparation, whether it be the regular weekly Sabbath, or a special Sabbath, such as the Passover. It is good that there should be a preparation in anticipation of our Christian Sabbath, not of our houses or tables, but our hearts.

2.  We are told who it was that begged the body of our Lord in order to see it honorably buried. (Verse 43)

a)  Joseph of Arimathea is here called an honorable counselor.

(1)  Some think he was one of Pilate’s privy council.

(2)  More likely, he was a member of the great Sanhedrin.

b)  He was a man of character and distinction, serving in some office of public trust.

c)  He, Luke tells us, was a good and just man. He had not agreed with other members of the council in what was done. He was looking for Messiah and awaiting the Kingdom of God. (See Luke 23:50, 51)  Those who wait for the Kingdom of God, and hope for a place in it, must show it by being forward to own Christ and his cause.

d)  Clearly, he was a man of bold conviction, one who stood against the majority in the Sanhedrin.

3.  He was not only bold in his stand among his fellow Jews, but he also went boldly unto Pilate, who had condemned Christ to die, and begged the body of Jesus.

a)  This man God raised up for this necessary service. That which His disciples had no ability to do, and possibly neither interest nor courage to do, this man did.

b)  He knew the affront this action was to the chief priests and elders, who had so reproached Christ, to see this honor done him. He was also aware of the risk he was running to approach Pilate with this  request. Pilate was haughty, and unpredictable, and could easily have taken this request as an act of defiance. Joseph no doubt weighed the possibilities before doing what he felt he must do.

4.  It came as a great surprise to Pilate to hear that Christ was already dead. (Verse 44)

a)  We gather from Pilate’s reaction that the victims of crucifixion usually lingered much longer.

b)  However, as we have already considered, our Lord died according to His own will, and gave up the ghost when it was time for the Passover lamb to be slain.

5.  Pilate, it seems, may have been suspicious of Joseph’s motives. Perhaps he intended to take Him down before He was dead. He therefore, sought confirmation from his centurion, who could assure him of this, for he had particularly observed how He gave up the ghost. (Verse 39) Once it was confirmed that Jesus was dead, he gave the body to Joseph. (Verse 45)

a)  Pilate’s suspicion was part of a special providence preventing any claim that Jesus was not really dead when taken down from the cross.

b)  Add to this confirmation by the centurion the fact that another soldier thrust a spear into His side before He was taken down from the cross, and still there are infidel Bible teachers who eagerly       promote a swoon theory and other heretical teachings in order to assert that Jesus did not actually rise from the dead.

B.  THE BODY OF CHRIST WAS RESPECTFULLY AND HONORABLY BURIED BY JOSEPH IN HIS OWN TOMB. (VERSE 46) It is truly remarkable how God prevented those who would have  dishonored Christ’s body from either getting to it first, or from hindering Joseph in his good work.

1.  Joseph bought fine linen in which to wrap the body for burial. Notice, he did not merely use what was at hand, though that might have been acceptable, he purchased new and expensive linen. In our service to Christ, let us be generous and particular. Let us not offer to Christ the leftovers of our life, time, money, etc., but let us give to Him the first, the finest, and the best we have.

2.  Joseph took down the body and wrapped it in linen. He carefully took down the mangled body of our Lord, and wrapped it in valuable new linen as a treasure of great worth. When we partake of the broken bread at the Lord’s Table, we do remember His broken body as most precious and valuable.

3.  Joseph took the body of Christ, which he had wrapped in fine linen, and laid Him in a sepulcher.

a)  This sepulcher belonged to Joseph. He had had it hewn out of a rock.

b)  He placed the body of Christ inside this sepulcher.

4.  Joseph then rolled a stone unto the door.

C.  SOME OF THE GOOD WOMEN TOOK NOTE OF WHERE THEIR LORD’S BODY WAS LAID, INTENDING TO RETURN AFTER THE SABBATH TO ANNOINT IT. (VERSE 47)

1.  These dear women had ministered to Christ during His earthly ministry. They had observed His crucifixion from afar. They had attended His funeral, hurried as it was. They had not time, however, to   properly anoint His body for burial before the preparation of the Sabbath.

2.  Their intention was to wait until the end of the Sabbath, and then return to the sepulcher to perform this work. They would return, even wondering who they might impose upon to help with the rolling back of  the stone. However, upon their arrival they would find that the stone had already been rolled away, and no man had done it. They would also find that the body of Christ was not there, but He was risen as He said.

3.  In our next lesson we will begin our study of the resurrection of Christ.