[powerpress]
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We conduct funerals for the dead for various reasons: to confirm the reality and finality of death; to provide a climate for loved ones to mourn and express grief for one another; to reaffirm our faith that believers in Christ will rise again; Funerals help us move forward with our lives. When Jesus died on the cross, there was no formal funeral — for a good reason. The Apostle John tells us what happened — John 19: “Afterward Joseph of Arimathea who had been a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about 75 pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” So even though Jesus had no formal funeral, we know he died. The soldiers who crucified him confirmed it for Pilate. So did two devout disciples who wrapped him in 75 pounds of spices and placed him in a tomb. Without a funeral, He stayed there — until Sunday came.
Don’t see the audio player? Click here.We conduct funerals for the dead for various reasons: to confirm the reality and finality of death; to provide a climate for loved ones to mourn and express grief for one another; to reaffirm our faith that believers in Christ will rise again; Funerals help us move forward with our lives. When Jesus died on the cross, there was no formal funeral — for a good reason. The Apostle John tells us what happened — John 19: “Afterward Joseph of Arimathea who had been a secret disciple of Jesus, asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about 75 pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.” So even though Jesus had no formal funeral, we know he died. The soldiers who crucified him confirmed it for Pilate. So did two devout disciples who wrapped him in 75 pounds of spices and placed him in a tomb. Without a funeral, He stayed there — until Sunday came.
