In Joseph’s Tomb
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tomb, hewn in a rock. This he was reserving for himself; but it was
near Calvary, and he now prepared it for Jesus. The body, together
with the spices brought by Nicodemus, was carefully wrapped in a
linen sheet, and the Redeemer was borne to the tomb. There the three
disciples straightened the mangled limbs, and folded the bruised hands
upon the pulseless breast. The Galilean women came to see that all
had been done that could be done for the lifeless form of their beloved
Teacher. Then they saw the heavy stone rolled against the entrance of
the tomb, and the Saviour was left at rest. The women were last at the
cross, and last at the tomb of Christ. While the evening shades were
gathering, Mary Magdalene and the other Marys lingered about the
resting place of their Lord, shedding tears of sorrow over the fate of
Him whom they loved. “And they returned, ... and rested the Sabbath
day according to the commandment.”
Luke 23:56
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That was a never-to-be-forgotten Sabbath to the sorrowing disci-
ples, and also to the priests, rulers, scribes, and people. At the setting
of the sun on the evening of the preparation day the trumpets sounded,
signifying that the Sabbath had begun. The Passover was observed
as it had been for centuries, while He to whom it pointed had been
slain by wicked hands, and lay in Joseph’s tomb. On the Sabbath
the courts of the temple were filled with worshipers. The high priest
from Golgotha was there, splendidly robed in his sacerdotal garments.
White-turbaned priests, full of activity, performed their duties. But
some present were not at rest as the blood of bulls and goats was
offered for sin. They were not conscious that type had met antitype,
that an infinite sacrifice had been made for the sins of the world. They
knew not that there was no further value in the performance of the
ritual service. But never before had that service been witnessed with
such conflicting feelings. The trumpets and musical instruments and
the voices of the singers were as loud and clear as usual. But a sense
of strangeness pervaded everything. One after another inquired about
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a strange event that had taken place. Hitherto the most holy place had
been sacredly guarded from intrusion. But now it was open to all eyes.
The heavy veil of tapestry, made of pure linen, and beautifully wrought
with gold, scarlet, and purple, was rent from top to bottom. The place
where Jehovah had met with the high priest, to communicate His glory,
the place that had been God’s sacred audience chamber, lay open to
every eye,—a place no longer recognized by the Lord. With gloomy