The Burial and Resurrection of Jesus MEMORY VERSE: “He made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth” (Isaiah 53:9).
Suggested Reading:
Selected Messages, bk. 1, pp. 301–303.
“Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work which He came to do; and He exclaimed with His parting breath, ‘It is finished!’ ”—The Story of Redemption, pp. 226, 227.
1. A PERPETUAL INSTITUTION Sun, Nov 9
a. What divine institution was hallowed both at the creation and redemption of the world, and will be hallowed throughout eternity? Genesis 2:1–3; Luke 23:52–56.“In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. When ‘the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them’ (Genesis 2:1), the Creator and all heavenly beings rejoiced in contemplation of the glorious scene. ‘The morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy.’ Job 38:7. Now Jesus rested from the work of redemption; and though there was grief among those who loved Him on earth, yet there was joy in heaven. Glorious to the eyes of heavenly beings was the promise of the future. A restored creation, a redeemed race, that having conquered sin could never fall—this, the result to flow from Christ’s completed work, God and angels saw. . . . When there shall be a ‘restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began’ (Acts 3:21), the creation Sabbath, the day on which Jesus lay at rest in Joseph’s tomb, will still be a day of rest and rejoicing. Heaven and earth will unite in praise, as ‘from one Sabbath to another’ (Isaiah 66:23) the nations of the saved shall bow in joyful worship to God and the Lamb.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 769, 770.
2. RESTING IN THE SEPULCHRE Mon, Nov 10
a. What two influential persons took on the responsibility for the Saviour’s burial? John 19:38–42; Isaiah 53:9.“In this emergency, Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus came to the help of the disciples. Both these men were members of the Sanhedrin, and were acquainted with Pilate. Both were men of wealth and influence. They were determined that the body of Jesus should have an honorable burial.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 773.b. What preoccupied the minds of the Jewish rulers on this Sabbath, and what action did they take? Matthew 27:62–66.“[The Jewish leaders] could rest little upon the Sabbath. Though they would not step over a Gentile’s threshold for fear of defilement, yet they held a council concerning the body of Christ. Death and the grave must hold Him whom they had crucified. . . .“The priests gave directions for securing the sepulcher. A great stone had been placed before the opening. Across this stone they placed cords, securing the ends to the solid rock, and sealing them with the Roman seal. The stone could not be moved without breaking the seal. A guard of one hundred soldiers was then stationed around the sepulcher to prevent it from being tampered with. The priests did all they could to keep Christ’s body where it had been laid. He was sealed as securely in His tomb as if He were to remain there through all time.”—Ibid., pp. 777, 778.c. What prophecy was fulfilled in this plot to seal the tomb? Psalm 2:1–4.“The very efforts made to prevent Christ’s resurrection are the most convincing arguments in its proof. The greater the number of soldiers placed around the tomb, the stronger would be the testimony that He had risen. . . . Roman guards and Roman arms were powerless to confine the Lord of life within the tomb. The hour of His release was near.”—Ibid., p. 778.
3. THE EMPTY TOMB Tue, Nov 11
a. What happened the morning of the first day of the week? Matthew 28:2–4.“Angels that excel in strength were guarding the tomb, and waiting to welcome the Prince of life. . . .“Now, priests and rulers, where is the power of your guard? Brave soldiers that have never been afraid of human power are now as captives taken without sword or spear. The face they look upon is not the face of mortal warrior; it is the face of the mightiest of the Lord’s host. This messenger is he who fills the position from which Satan fell. It is he who on the hills of Bethlehem proclaimed Christ’s birth. The earth trembles at his approach, the hosts of darkness flee, and as he rolls away the stone, heaven seems to come down to the earth. The soldiers see him removing the stone as he would a pebble, and hear him cry, Son of God, come forth; Thy Father calls Thee. They see Jesus come forth from the grave, and hear Him proclaim over the rent sepulcher, ‘I am the resurrection, and the life.’ As He comes forth in majesty and glory, the angel host bow low in adoration before the Redeemer, and welcome Him with songs of praise.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 779, 780.b. What surprise did some of the disciples experience as they went toward the tomb? John 20:1; Luke 24:1–3.c. What message and instruction did the angel give to the women, and how did they respond? Mark 16:5–8.“As [Joanna, Mary the mother of James and Joses, Salome, and other women] lingered about the place, suddenly they saw that they were not alone. A young man clothed in shining garments was sitting by the tomb. It was the angel who had rolled away the stone. He had taken the guise of humanity that he might not alarm these friends of Jesus. Yet about him the light of the heavenly glory was still shining, and the women were afraid. They turned to flee, but the angel’s words stayed their steps.”—Ibid., pp. 788, 789.
4. CHARACTER BEING REVEALED Wed, Nov 12
a. Why can we be energized by the enthusiasm of the disciples—especially John—regarding the significance of the empty tomb? John 20:2–4.“John clung to Christ as the vine clings to the stately pillar. For his Master’s sake he braved the dangers of the judgment hall and lingered about the cross; and at the tidings that Christ had risen, he hastened to the sepulcher, in his zeal outstripping even the impetuous Peter.”—The Sanctified Life, p. 53.b. What can we learn from the example of order and good taste that Jesus provided following His resurrection? John 20:5–7.“It was Christ Himself who had placed those graveclothes with such care. When the mighty angel came down to the tomb, he was joined by another, who with his company had been keeping guard over the Lord’s body. As the angel from heaven rolled away the stone, the other entered the tomb, and unbound the wrappings from the body of Jesus. But it was the Saviour’s hand that folded each, and laid it in its place. In His sight who guides alike the star and the atom, there is nothing unimportant. Order and perfection are seen in all His work.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 789.“Actions repeated form habits, habits form character, and by the character our destiny for time and for eternity is decided.“Only by faithfulness in the little things can the soul be trained to act with fidelity under larger responsibilities.”—Christ’s Object Lessons, p. 356.c. What message did the guards bring to the Jewish leaders? Matthew 28:11.“A strange appearance those soldiers presented. Trembling with fear, their faces colorless, they bore testimony to the resurrection of Christ. The soldiers told all, just as they had seen it; they had not had time to think or speak anything but the truth. With painful utterance they said, It was the Son of God who was crucified; we have heard an angel proclaiming Him as the Majesty of heaven, the King of glory.”—The Desire of Ages, p. 781.
5. FRAUD TO AVOID FACING REALITY Thu, Nov 13
a. What did the chief priests do to prevent circulation of the report about the resurrection? Matthew 28:12–15.“The faces of the priests were as those of the dead. Caiaphas tried to speak. His lips moved, but they uttered no sound. The soldiers were about to leave the council room, when a voice stayed them. Caiaphas had at last found speech. Wait, wait, he said. Tell no one the things you have seen.“A lying report was then given to the soldiers. ‘Say ye,’ said the priests, ‘His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept.’ Here the priests overreached themselves. How could the soldiers say that the disciples had stolen the body while they slept? If they were asleep, how could they know? And if the disciples had been proved guilty of stealing Christ’s body, would not the priests have been first to condemn them? Or if the sentinels had slept at the tomb, would not the priests have been foremost in accusing them to Pilate?“The soldiers were horrified at the thought of bringing upon themselves the charge of sleeping at their post. This was an offense punishable with death. Should they bear false witness, deceiving the people, and placing their own lives in peril? Had they not kept their weary watch with sleepless vigilance? How could they stand the trial, even for the sake of money, if they perjured themselves?“In order to silence the testimony they feared, the priests promised to secure the safety of the guard, saying that Pilate would not desire to have such a report circulated any more than they did. The Roman soldiers sold their integrity to the Jews for money. They came in before the priests burdened with a most startling message of truth; they went out with a burden of money, and on their tongues a lying report which had been framed for them by the priests.”—The Desire of Ages, pp. 781, 782.
PERSONAL REVIEW QUESTIONS Fri, Nov 14
1. How can I assist God’s cause as Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea?2. What can I learn from the carefully folded graveclothes?3. How may I be in danger of selling my integrity as the Roman soldiers?4. Relate the experience of the sentinels at the tomb.5. Explain the contradictions contained in the lie of the priests.