A sepulchre . . . wherein never man before was laid

The focus now shifts from the cross to the sepulchre. Both are essential for our salvation, Rom. 4. 25, and Paul emphasizes the fact ‘that he was buried’, 1 Cor. 15. 4. The burial of Christ underlines the reality of His death, and is the platform for His glorious resurrection.

Luke earlier emphasized the virgin womb, Luke 1. 27; now he speaks of a virgin tomb. No one had occupied it before. This of course was literally true, but it also points to the deeper truth - the tomb had never known such a man before! There were no forerunners, no predecessors.

Linked in this passage with the sepulchre are: Joseph, the women, and Peter.

Joseph fulfils the Old Testament picture and prophecy. Just as Old Testament Joseph was trained to handle great responsibility, so Joseph of Arimathaea takes responsibility for the most precious thing on earth - the body of the Lord. How reverently he handled it! How carefully he laid it in the tomb! Perhaps he little understood the vital role he played in the purposes of God, but surely he is the ‘rich man’ of Isaiah chapter 53 verse 9.

Luke’s Gospel emphasizes the value of women. It begins with unbelieving men and believing women, Luke 1. 20, 45, and it ends in precisely the same way. Women are the first to hear the news of His resurrection, 24. 1-9, but the men regard their report as ‘idle tales’ and refuse to believe them, v. 11. The intentions of the women were commendable, although perhaps misguided, v. 1. However, their actions sprang from a deep devotion to the Lord and they were rewarded with a wonderful revelation. God knows our motivation and reads our hearts, though often we may act ignorantly.

Peter sees the linen clothes lying by themselves and departs, ‘wondering in himself’, v. 12. We can imagine the turmoil in his heart: the thrill of dawning hope; the deep remorse at the memory of his denials. Was there a longing, as well as a kind of dread? Peter need not fear meeting the Lord, v. 34, and neither need we, despite our failures.