44 It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun’s light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. 47 Now when the centurion saw what had taken place, he praised God, saying, “Certainly this man was innocent!” 48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances and the women who had followed him from Galilee stood at a distance watching these things.
50 Now there was a man named Joseph, from the Jewish town of Arimathea. He was a member of the council, a good and righteous man, 51 who had not consented to their decision and action; and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 53 Then he took it down and wrapped it in a linen shroud and laid him in a tomb cut in stone, where no one had ever yet been laid. 54 It was the day of Preparation, and the Sabbath was beginning. 55 The women who had come with him from Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments.
On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
From about noon until 3 p.m. there was darkness over the whole land surrounding Jerusalem. This darkness coinciding with Jesus’ crucifixion showed God’s displeasure at what the nation had done. Jesus’ death finally brought a way for man to be completely reconciled to God. The curtain dividing the holy place from the most holy place was torn in two. Instead of a priest entering only once a year, we now have complete access to the Father through Jesus. As in His life, Jesus completely trusted the Father in His death (Psalm 31:5). As in many times throughout Luke’s gospel, we see people responding to Jesus’ actions in praise to God. The centurion couldn’t help but recognise that Jesus had been innocent. The crowds who had seen everything returned home mourning. Those who had been with Jesus, including the woman who had followed Him, stood at a distance and watched everything that happened. They served an important role as eyewitnesses.
Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Jewish leadership but had not agreed to their course of action. He was a righteous man who had been looking for the kingdom of God. Even when many have turned against God, God has often kept a few people who are faithful to Him. If you find yourself standing for God in the midst of many who are against Him, take courage in your position. The group may still move things in the wrong direction but you can still have a godly influence. Joseph wasn’t able to prevent Jesus’ crucifixion but he was able to give Him a proper burial in his own tomb (Mat 27:60). Both Joseph and the women who watched were eyewitnesses that Jesus had really died. Jesus was laid to rest on the day of Preparation, on Friday before the Sabbath began that evening. The women went home and prepared spices and ointments before resting on the Sabbath.
Major Stories of the Bible Reading Plan
God’s Reason for Punishing Israel: Amos 3