52 this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
53 And he took it down and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.
54 It was the preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.
55 Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.
56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes. And on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.” Luke 23:50-56.
This Scripture covers the burial of Jesus, and we can first quickly note what The Heidelberg Catechism states about the importance of the fact that Jesus was buried.
Question 41. Why was he also “buried”?
Answer. Thereby to prove that he was really dead.
But, there is more that we should learn from this Scripture. We see the sovereignty of God in providing for all the details of this burial.
Out of the Council filled with chief priests and other leaders intent on putting Jesus to death, God reserved for Himself “a good and righteous man” named Joseph to request Jesus’ body from Pilate and to lay Jesus’ body in an unused tomb.
When it seems like everyone is enraged and out of control, God is still in control. We are reminded of Romans 11:2-4.
“2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel?
3 “Lord, THEY HAVE KILLED YOUR PROPHETS, THEY HAVE TORN DOWN YOUR ALTARS, AND I ALONE AM LEFT, AND THEY ARE SEEKING MY LIFE.”
4 But what is the divine response to him? “I HAVE KEPT for Myself SEVEN THOUSAND MEN WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO BAAL.”
5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.” Romans 11:2-4.
God was in control to provide Joseph to bury Jesus.
God was also in control to provide the women to be other witnesses to Jesus’ burial.
God was also in control to provide the spices and perfumes that were prophesied so long ago. The spices and perfumes signify that God was well-pleased with His Son and with the sacrifice made by His Son. Matthew 3:17 : “… ” This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.”
God was also in control to finish all of these details of the burial before the Sabbath, and they rested according to the commandment.
“2 The kings of the earth take their stand
And the rulers take counsel together
Against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us tear their fetters apart
And cast away their cords from us!”
4 He who sits in the heavens laughs,
The Lord scoffs at them.” Psalm 2:2-4.
In conclusion, God calls and uses a few good men like Joseph and women like those who followed Jesus out of Galilee to accomplish His purpose. God accomplishes all of His good pleasure. What an encouragement this is to us!
“9 “Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me,
10 Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My purpose will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’;
11 Calling a bird of prey from the east,
The man of My purpose from a far country
Truly I have spoken; truly I will bring it to pass.
I have planned it, surely I will do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 