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Crucifixion of Christ
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with a glory like unto the sun. He then bowed His head upon His
breast and died.
At the moment in which Christ died, there were priests minis-
tering in the temple before the veil which separated the holy from
the most holy place. Suddenly they felt the earth tremble beneath
them, and the veil of the temple, a strong rich drapery that had been
renewed yearly, was rent in twain from top to bottom by the same
bloodless hand that wrote the words of doom upon the walls of
Belshazzar’s palace.
Jesus did not yield up His life till He had accomplished the work
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which He came to do; and He exclaimed with His parting breath,
“It is finished!” Angels rejoiced as the words were uttered, for the
great plan of redemption was being triumphantly carried out. There
was joy in heaven that the sons of Adam could now, through a life
of obedience, be exalted finally to the presence of God. Satan was
defeated, and knew that his kingdom was lost.
The Burial
John was at a loss to know what measures he should take in
regard to the body of his beloved Master. He shuddered at the thought
of its being handled by rough and unfeeling soldiers, and placed in a
dishonored burial place. He knew he could obtain no favors from the
Jewish authorities, and he could hope little from Pilate. But Joseph
and Nicodemus came to the front in this emergency. Both of these
men were members of the Sanhedrin, and acquainted with Pilate.
Both were men of wealth and influence. They were determined that
the body of Jesus should have an honorable burial.
Joseph went boldly to Pilate, and begged from him the body of
Jesus for burial. Pilate then gave an official order that the body of
Jesus should be given to Joseph. While the disciple John was anxious
and troubled about the sacred remains of his beloved Master, Joseph
of Arimathea returned with the commission from the governor; and
Nicodemus, anticipating the result of Joseph’s interview with Pilate,
came with a costly mixture of myrrh and aloes of about one hundred
pounds’ weight. The most honored in all Jerusalem could not have
been shown more respect in death.
Gently and reverently they removed with their own hands the
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