The Easter Good News: He Was Buried

By definition, the gospel is the good news.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4a (KJV)

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried...

1 Corinthians 15:1-4a (NIV)

1 Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried...

1.) The Reality of the Burial of Jesus

 Normally when there was a Roman crucifixion, they would leave the body up to decompose. The Romans would also burn those crucified, among other horrible, despicable things to those they killed by hanging on a cross.  The disciples were anxious about how Jesus was going to be treated after His death. God had already decided that Jesus was going to be buried in the borrowed tomb of a rich man. This burial was the most important burial of all time. This burial was the good news that Jesus was buried. Why is it good news that He died and was buried?

John 19:31-40 31 Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jews did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. 32 The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. 33 But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. 34 Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus' side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. 35 The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. 36 These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken," 37 and, as another scripture says, "They will look on the one they have pierced." 38 Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared the Jews. With Pilate's permission, he came and took the body away. 39 He was accompanied by Nicodemus, the man who earlier had visited Jesus at night. Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds. 40 Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs. 41 At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid.
The Jews were very adamant that Jesus had to be buried before sundown on the Sabbath. Several times it is mentioned regarding of the body of Christ in these passages. They are more worried about the law of the land (adhering to the burial time frame) than the fact they just crucified our Lord. They were also worried about the breaking of the body. God had already spoken that Jesus would not have one bone broken, even after being on the cross. Joseph of Arimathea is one of the disciples that came to ask for the body of Christ. Joseph was a good man, a rich man, and a great example of how one can live well and faithful in even the worst of time. He was secretly a disciple for fear of the Jews. He was afraid of what others would think of him of they knew he was a follower of Christ. There are people who have been saved but won't make that public. They won't let anyone know where they stand for The Lord. Do people who you work with, socialize with, do they know where you stand with The Lord? Do your closest friends even know? If you have never professed your faith publicly, you need to come forward in front of the congregation and make you Public Profession of Faith. And then you need to follow that up with Believers Baptism to tell the world you love God and Jesus. Matthew 10: 32-33 32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
The cross gave Joseph courage to come forward to claim Jesus. It also gave Nicodemus courage. That's how it works, fire catches fire catches fire! We should never be ashamed of the decisions we make during the Invitational.

Why does the Bible even record the burial of Jesus? There are books and talking heads that try to say that Jesus didn't really die. Follow me here: He hung on a cross for 6 hours after having spikes hammered into His hands and feet, a spear shoved deep into His side, given vinegar to drink, they took the nails from His hands and feet and placed Jesus in the tomb, but He then rolled the heavy stone away in the weakened state of dehydration and loss of blood, walked miles, and somehow convinced the disciples that He died and rose again. It is easier for me to believe that Jesus died and rose again than that story. You know why? Not that Jesus COULDN'T do those things, because the Bible tells me Jesus died, and was placed in that tomb. That is why I don't believe that hogwash He didn't die.

2.) The Requirements of the Burial of Jesus

He was wrapped in linen and spices. Linen is representative of the sinlessness of Jesus. When we talk about perfection and being spotless, we use linen to symbolize that. The spices were the sacrifices and righteousness of Jesus Christ. He came here for the specific purpose to die for our sins. Verse 41 Jesus was crucified and buried in a garden. Sin was born in a garden with Adam. Sin died in a garden with Jesus.

3.) The  Reasons of the Burial of Jesus

When Jesus was buried 2000 years ago, He was not buried alone. Thousands of people were buried with Him. I was buried with Him. If you're saved, if you're a born-again child of God, you were buried with Him, as well. Being identified with Jesus and identified by faith, everything He experienced, as do we. This means our sins are forgiven. This also means our sins are forgotten.

You need to get the fact that God will not just forgive but forget your past. You can let to of your past sins. The devil will bring it up time and time again. You better count on it, but you can write a check on the fact that your past life is gone. You live on from where God saved you.

 Husbands, you need to start leading your families. You need to be a strong Christian leader for your wives and children. Wives, you need to support your husbands in their roles as leaders in your home. You need to build up your husbands. A strong leader is imperative. You can spout all day about equality and women's rights, but when you need someone to cleave to, when you need someone to give you support, do you want a sturdy oak or do you want a weak willow? You can't get that support if you're constantly tearing down your husbands. It isn't weakness, but strength of character to trust your husband to lead you where God wants you to go. We are told to leave our fathers and mothers and cleave to each other as one.

Why Good Things Happen To Bad People

Most often the question is asked, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" This sermon focuses on why good things happen to bad people. 

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Psalm 73:1-3,7-19 (KJV)

Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. [2] But as for me, my feet were almost gone; my steps had well nigh slipped. [3] For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... [7] Their eyes stand out with fatness: they have more than heart could wish. [8] They are corrupt, and speak wickedly concerning oppression: they speak loftily. [9] They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walketh through the earth. [10] Therefore his people return hither: and waters of a full cup are wrung out to them. [11] And they say, How doth God know? and is there knowledge in the most High? [12] Behold, these are the ungodly, who prosper in the world; they increase in riches. [13] Verily I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocency. [14] For all the day long have I been plagued, and chastened every morning. [15] If I say, I will speak thus; behold, I should offend against the generation of thy children. [16] When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; [17] Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end. [18] Surely thou didst set them in slippery places: thou castedst them down into destruction. [19] How are they brought into desolation, as in a moment! they are utterly consumed with terrors.

Psalms 73-89 (NKJV)

A psalm of Asaph.

1 Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. 3 For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.... 7 From their callous hearts comes iniquity; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits. 8 They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression. 9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth. 10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. 11 They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?" 12 This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth. 13 Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence. 14 All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning. 15 If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children. 16 When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me 17 till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny. 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. 19 How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

The author, most attribute Psalms to be written by David, affirms the existence of God. Then he confirms the character of God: God is good. He looked around at life and looked at things going on his life an almost lost it. He was confused with the contradictions in life. If there's a God and if He's a good God, then why would he allow bad things to happen to His people? In this Psalm we see the flip side if this question of why good things happen to bad people? Wicked Godless men don't have problems and troubles that the believers have. They have no interest in the ways of God and make no attempt to live a moral life. They have a nice house, nice car, big bank account, their kids are in all the clubs and sports. Verse 3, "For I was envious of the boastful when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." He was struggling with the problems of the believers while being jealous of the nonbeliever. He came to the wrong conclusion that living for The Lord wasn't worth it; v16 it was too painful for me. It wasn't until verse 17 that he understood why. God blesses when we are faithful. Coming to church is when we often get that answer we have been seeking from God. Coming to church is when we receive the blessing of renewed covenant. Coming to church refills the emptiness that only God can fill.

When it comes to the past, there is one thing that all people have in common: we have all sinned and fell short of the measure of perfection. Genuine guilt is caused by sin. God has created us in such a way that creates guilt. But our culture has changed our perception that people have sin. To have sin would mean to face guilt and to admit you have fallen short of perfection. Everyone has to deal with the guilt of past sin. There is also the condemnation of sin; to be judged. Those without Christ are on death row of eternity, which is the ultimate of judgements. Burden of sin is another commonality. It snowballs until it smothers us. That is why it is so important to have Jesus in your life. To know you have only to confess your sins, to invite Christ in your heart, that He will wash away and forgive all your sins is what it's all about. That Christ was born, died and rose again to take away the sin of man, bear the burden of man upon Himself so that we would not have to suffer the eternal suffering.

Would you like to have a burden lifted today? Would you like to have that heavy load removed from your shoulders? That why it's so important to know The Lord. Only He can do that for us.

While we all have a sin past, we have a lot of people who can't live life in today. People who are not happy with no matter what they have. It seems the more they have, the less they're happy. Solomon was a great example of this. Ecclesiastes is a wonderful book to read for this example. He tried all worldly things to find joy and happiness; to find knowledge. The Fear of The Lord is the beginning of knowledge.

The future has to be planned for, we have to look toward the future. When we look at those who don't know The Lord, the word to use is fear, fear of death. V 18 Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin. We are one day closer to death each day we awaken. We do not know the day, but are you prepared? Do you know God? Can you face the judgement of living a Christ-denied life to spend eternity in hell? One cannot live a dual life and make it. If you will accept Him as your savior, and when you do, you will feel a life changing fire fill you. If you truly mean it, you want Him to be your savior, you can't help but to want to live a better life. All the other worldly things won't matter. You will only want to spread the word so others can know His love and grace, so they, too can feel the forgiveness of God.

To summarize, why good things happen to bad people, a lot of times a destruction is thought to be what moves people to God. But mostly, that just hardens people against God. It isn't trials and tribulations that lead people to repent. Romans 2:4 Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Goodness of God leads to repentance. Good things happen to bad people because He wants to lead those lost to Him through those blessings.