The Caldwell Commentaries Podcast

Learn of the post-death actions of several women who remained at the crucifixion site of Christ until He gave up His spirit.  Learn, too, of the tender post-death acts of two very prominent religious rulers (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who boldly emerged from his secret discipleship).  

In the early morning hours of the "high day" Sabbath, the chief priests joined with the Pharisees in a further attempt to discredit and destroy the name of Jesus.  He was dead, but they still were not satisfied.  They were so concerned about His continuing influence, they held an illegal Sabbath meeting and decided to again solicit the help of Pontius Pilate.  They wanted to make sure the Lord's followers did not turn His death into something even greater than His life had been.  Ha!  That was an impossible venture on their part!  Find out the extent they went to make sure the tomb was sealed tight (interesting how they did that) and well-guarded - and how all their foolish efforts only backfired on them to be used as further evidence of the reality of Christ's Resurrection!

Two formerly secret disciples of Christ emerge just at the right time to provide the most respectable burial for the body of their Lord - and, of course, one that also fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.  If Jesus was not buried in a rich man's tomb, He would not have qualified to be Messiah (see Isaiah 53:9)!  Again, we find the amazing providence of Almighty God at work in such specific ways that ensure His Son was buried as the royal Prince He is, but also to fulfill His prophetic word!

There is so much "meat" found in this study on Christ' burial (the method, the strip wrappings, the 100-pound mixture of costly spices, the head "napkin"), but here is just one truth to whet your hunger:  Wealthy, wise men (Magi) lavished their expensive gifts on Christ early in His life.  Wealthy, wise men (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) lavished their rich gifts upon Him at the end of His life!  Though "the world" rejected Him, nonetheless, He was and IS THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

There is perhaps no single account in Scripture that gives more evidence of God's providence than the record of the circumstances relating to the after-death care and burial of the Lord Jesus.  This subject is often passed over quickly as something necessary, but not significant when compared to Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances.  This is a mistake, for the gospel accounts on this matter contain astounding truths that present additional testimony to both the providence of God and the identity of Jesus as His true Son!

If Christ had not given up His spirit when He did, His leg bones would have been broken.  He would not qualify as Messiah, for Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20 would not have been fulfilled by Him.  If He had not have been pierced through with a Roman spear, we would not know the actual physical cause of His death and how it fulfilled Psalm 69:20 (not the normal crucifixion deaths, which were either by exhaustion asphyxia or hypovolemic shock).

For a number of lessons prior to this one, we have been looking at the apparent "tragedy" of Calvary, but, with this lesson, we turn to the reality of the situation: it was a victorious triumph! To the unbelieving world, it seems as though Jesus of Nazareth was the victim of a cruel, but unplanned (by Him) crucifixion. The truth is so very different. Jesus (the Saviour promised the world since Genesis 3:15) was both the Designer and Orchestrater of the entire out-working of events and circumstances that led to Calvary! Everything that took place before, during, and after Calvary was accomplished in absolute accordance with and submission to His Father's will - for His glory and for mankind's good. It was also all prophesied by God, through multiple Old Testament prophets, and was fulfilled to every tiny detail. Calvary was anything but unplanned!

Learn all about the Victor's declaration, "It is Finished!" He did not say, "I am finished," for the fact is it was just the beginning of many new things for Him and for those who put their faith in Him! "Tetelestai" (the Greek word for "It is finished") was not the tragic cry of a victim at all. It was the triumphant shout of a Victor!!! It was the declarative statement of the Eternal Son of God to the entire universe that the redemptive work He came to do on earth for man was accomplished! This means there is not a thing you or I can DO to "help" Jesus "get us saved". The only thing needful is for a person to rest, by faith, in the completed, accomplished, totally performed and "done deal" work of Christ. IT IS FINISHED! Alleluia; Amen!

The entire Gospel of Christ is essentially wrapped up in that one powerful Greek word, "Tetelestai," my favorite word in the Bible, other than the name above every name, Jesus!

This lesson (with Homework Questions) is found in written form in "The Caldwell Commentary" series "Life of Christ Vol. 8 (available through www.scripturetruth.com).

An extremely serious lesson (continuation of Lesson 174a)!  

BE BLESSED!