Burial

The Burial of Jacob

The Egyptians were a very demonstrative people. They tore their clothes, smote their breasts, threw dust and mud on their heads and chanted funeral songs with the accompaniment of the tambourine. It was an astonishing sight for the local people. Warren Wiersbe said, “When J …

The Burial of Jesus

Since the Jews were anxious to speed up the death process, the Roman soldiers were sent to break the legs of the crucified (vv. 31-32). A crucified person could live for many hours, sometimes even days, so long as they kept the use of their legs, which they could use to lift their chest allowing …

Joseph Places Jesus in The Tomb

Since Jesus died about 3 o’clock in the afternoon and Jewish law forbid any burial on the Sabbath which began at sunset (v. 42). God had a higly respected and wealthy member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph of Arimathea (a secret disciple of Jesus (John 19:38) ready to take care of …

Jesus is Buried in a Borrowed Tomb

Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy and honored member of the Jewish council. He was also a secret disciple of Jesus (John 19:38). When Jesus died, Joseph immediately went to Pilate and asked for permission to have His body so he could give it a decent burial (vv. 50- …

IllustrationC.E. Macartney: Monument to an Old-time Country Doctor

Right in the middle of the highway at Midlothian, Virginia, there is a singular monument to an old-time country doctor. He had done such service to the community that the people wanted to erect a memorial to him in the village while he was yet alive, but the doctor was too modest …

IllustrationFunerals For God’s Servants

Funerals for God’s servants are often solemn affairs. However, at times when I attend one, I am struck by a strange kind of irony. After a lifetime of ministry supposedly focused on grace, we bring the poor soul to his grave with eloquent eulogies and high tributes that wer …

IllustrationTruman – Tells a Story of a Live Man in a Coffin

Harry Truman told the story of a man who was hit on the head and fell into a deep coma. He stayed there a long time. People thought he was dead so they sent him to a funeral home and stuck him in a coffin. At two o’clock in the morning, all alone in this dimly lit room, he …

IllustrationWanted a Christian Burial For His Dog

A man came to the Lutheran Church and asked to see the pastor. “Pastor,” he said, “My dog died and I would like a Christian burial for him.” The Pastor said, “I’m sorry to hear about your dog, but we Lutherans don’t do funerals for dogs. You might try t …