How Did He Do It?

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Feb 1979

The final cry had ascended to heaven, and the Saviour bowed His sacred head and died. The end had come to a perfect, spotless, gracious life. The end, too, of man's despair, for when the Saviour said, "It is finished... Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit", He gave an eternal assurance that the demands of a holy God toward human sin had been fully met. Reconciliation, forgiveness, peace, were all made possible through the death of Christ. But His holy body remained nailed to the tree after the Lord's final utterances. The disciples had been scattered. Unconcerned men such as the Roman soldiers no doubt remained at the scene while the important meeting between a Jew and a Gentile took place in the ruler's palace. Joseph of Arimathea, one of Jesus' secret disciples, stood before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, pleading for possession of the sacred corpse.

The task of removing and preparing Christ's body for burial was undertaken by Joseph and his fellow secret disciple, Nicodemus. Surely all fear was replaced by courage and loyalty as Nicodemus openly carried his costly, heavy burden of myrrh and aloes along the road leading to Joseph's dwelling. Any enquirer, seeking information as to his burden and destination, would have been told unhesitatingly by Nicodemus: "These precious spices are for the burial of Jesus, my Messiah, my Saviour, my Master". There is nothing equal to the cross for bringing a disciple out into the open.

Of Joseph of Arimathea, Luke says: "This man went to Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb . . ." (23:50-53). This act necessitated strength and skill. Joseph was unquestionably a virtuous man, and he is graciously described as being of honourable estate, a counsellor, a good and righteous man, and looking for the kingdom of God. It is a delight to think of God choosing in advance Joseph, and his colleague Nicodemus, for the specific task of handling the precious remains of His dear Son. Were they not gracious, Christ-like men although secret in their loyalty to Messiah? They had "received" Him, and the characteristics of their new lives would be tested at each meeting with their Sanhedrin fellows, who could be callous, brutal, impersonal, domineering men. But God's choices are never misplaced. Men with tenderness were needed to care for Christ after His death, in contrast to the unrivalled cruelty of the Roman soldiers who crucified Him. What a wonderful tribute is paid to the sensitive, compassionate characters of these two dear disciples! And knowing this, the question still remains in the mind for endless ponderings; how did Joseph manage the incredible task of taking down the body of the Lord from the cross of wood? Accomplish it he did, and with the aid of Nicodemus who supplied a hundred pounds weight of myrrh and aloes, he wrapped the body in a newly-bought linen cloth (Mark 15:46), and laid it in the new tomb.

But for the challenge of doubting Thomas, we would not know of the nails. "Except I shall see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails. . .1 will not believe" (John 20:25). He is the only one to use the words. But to us, the wounds are more important than what caused them, and so Thomas-like, we draw very close to our Saviour and reverently heed the invitation to "see My hands" (John 20:27). And reverently too, we respond: "My Lord and my God" (v.28).

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Feb 1979
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