And Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen shroud and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had cut in the rock. And he rolled a great stone to the entrance of the tomb and went away.  Matthew 27:59-60

Joseph of Arimathea was a rich man, a member of the Jewish council but also a follower of Jesus.  He had not agreed with the council’s decision to have Jesus crucified.  And after Jesus’ death he went to Pilate and requested Jesus’ body for burial.  Joseph had bought a tomb that had never been used and laid the body in the tomb.  A great stone was rolled in front of the entrance to keep thieves outside and the smell of decay inside.  Joseph then went away.

It was over. Luke tells us that Joseph was looking for the kingdom of God (Luke 23:51).  I can only imagine the questions racing through his mind, and the confusion about these events.  Wasn’t Jesus the Messiah?  Wasn’t He the one who would save Israel?  He was supposed to be the King of Israel, but how could any of it be true now?  He’s dead.  His body is sealed in a tomb. 

Jesus certainly was dead.  Some today refuse to believe Jesus died.  They say that He only fainted.  But the Romans were not so careless in their executions.  They made certain He died when they pierced His side with a spear.  The confusion and sorrow of those who followed Jesus was genuine.  They felt a sense of loss and were afraid for their own lives as they hid. 

The enemy, Satan, along with the Jewish leaders were convinced they had won.  They had silenced Jesus once and for all.  Satan believed God’s plan of redemption had been overturned because the only Son of God had been crucified.  There is no other way for humanity to be saved and reconciled to God.  In these moments the enemy thought he had the upper hand on God.  But he had another thing coming!  Jesus’ death wasn’t final.  His death was not the end.  God’s plan of redemption was still at work!