JESUS the MESSIAH...DEAD??

Yes, He’s dead! (in Matt 27:57-66)                            

The Messiah the Jews have been waiting hundreds of years for, now hangs from nails in a ghastly bloody mess while hardened Roman soldiers cower in fear, saying: 

“Truly this was the Son of God!”

What now? Is this how it’s all meant to end – in utter defeat?  Isn’t there any glimmer of hope?                                  

Yes, one brave man emerges – Joseph of Arimathea – to beg Pontius Pilate for Jesus’ body: a Jew has to beg a Gentile governor for the body of the Messiah!

Jesus had borrowed a manger to be born in, He has borrowed a cross to die naked on, and now He borrows a rich man’s tomb.                 

What did Isaiah say?

“He made His grave with the wicked and with the rich in His death; because He had done no violence, neither was there any deceit in His mouth”

God’s prophetic word wins again!

Notice...only two women attend this funeral, but those chief priests and Pharisees are desperate – telling the Roman governor to secure the tomb of their Messiah!          

He dismisses them with “...make it as sure as you can”

Let’s see if their guard will be good enough...