What was Jesus doing in the tomb?

The power of words

After the death of the cross, there is hope for a resurrection. But I would like to note that there is a burial rest between the cross and the resurrection.

Jesus rested in the tomb, free from the suffering of the cross. He was able to complete the big task of the cross and rest. I think it was a time of relaxation and a time to wait for the resurrection.

On Saturday, Jesus’ body was in the tomb all day long. Since Jesus was resurrected early Sunday morning, he was probably in the tomb for about 40 hours (Friday evening to early Sunday morning). In Judaism, a new day begins with sunset, so it is calculated to be about 3 hours on Friday, 24 hours on Saturday, and about 13 hours on Sunday. In any case, Jesus was rested.

Church of the Holy Sepulchre The destination of Via Dolorosa, is said to have been the site of Golgotha Hill, where Jesus would die and be buried.

After the Creation, God rested. It is written in Genesis 2: 2. On the seventh day, God announced the completion of the work he was doing. That is, on the seventh day, he rested all the work he was doing. 　Luke 23:56 says: On the Sabbath, according to the commandments　 People rested after burying the body of Jesus. I think Jesus was resting in the tomb, waiting for the work of the resurrection, and in hope.

What is the center of the content of the Christian ministry and what is the gospel is recorded in 1 Corinthians 15: 3,4. The gospel is that　Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day, as the Bible shows　. That is, Jesus died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was raised from death on the third day. It is also written in the Apostles’ Creed. ” Suffering under Pontius Pilate, crucified, buried in death, resurrected , resurrected from the dead on the third day ,” It turns out that the burial is very important. It emphasizes that Jesus did die as a factual event in history.

He was in the tomb for a short time. Jesus fought fiercely on the cross against sin and against the devil. And he was victorious. As a woman’s soul, Jesus trampled the devil’s head as a fulfillment of the prophecy of Genesis 3:15 ( he trampled your head and you bite on his heel )! Jesus said on the cross that he was ” It is finished ” (John 19:30). The salvation of mankind was perfectly accomplished by Jesus. And Jesus died, saying, ” Father, I will put my spirit in your hands ” (Luke 23:46).

Who buried Jesus in the tomb? Joseph of Arimathea is. He was one of those who witnessed and was changed by Jesus on the cross. So is Nicodemus. They put the body of Jesus in the tomb (John 19: 38-42). According to the law, a man who died hanging on a tree had to be buried that day (Deuteronomy 21:22, 23). Jesus was crucified on Friday at 9 am and died at 3 pm. In Judaism, the day starts at sunset (6 pm), so there was only a couple of hours left on that day. There Joseph took action. He offered the tomb he had prepared for himself for Jesus. This was a very courageous act. It was very dangerous to be considered a fellow of Jesus. But Joseph made his faith public. Until then, Joseph was a timid Christian, but was moved by Jesus on the cross. This is the influence of the death of the cross.

Jesus rested in the tomb. He took a rest. It has calmed down. With the hope of resurrection, He longed for God’s willing intervention. God raised this Jesus (Act 2:32).

There are battles, conflicts, sufferings, and crosses in our lives. However, it is important not to escape from the cross. If we choose to live on the cross, do what we can and do what we do, then rest in the hands of God. Let’s rest. Let’s calm down. Let’s shut up (Exodus 14:14). Let’s wait for God’s willing intervention. Like Jesus , bury our thoughts and feelings in the tomb of God’s hand, saying, ” Father, I will leave my spirit in your hand. ” Let’s choose to surrender. Let’s know that the Quiet Lord is God. Then, God’s willful intervention and resurrection await. I believe there will be a resurrection (hope) after the cross (fight).