John Chapter 19:31-42

I don't think anybody ever had this week. Joseph of Arimathea fell across the suffering that was in for the pain that Jesus thinking that I can understand he understood probably more deeply than most of us from this point forward. Joseph has this relationship with Jesus and he's boldly now for fear of the Jews before and now I stand before college thinking I have the body somehow happened what happened to Joseph to cross the cross, he realized what Jesus endured. We need to realize what Jesus did for us on the class. Grab a hold of that when we get a hold of that to understand how easy serving God is welcome to cross the bridge with David McGee.

David is the senior pastor of the bridge in Kernersville, North Carolina, sometimes serving God can leave us tired and worn out, but serving God is easier, lighter, when we realize what good for us on the cross today.

Pastor David points us to the cross to Isaac continues in the Gospel of John chapter 19 with part two of his teaching verse 31.

Therefore, because it was the preparation day that the body should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath for that Sabbath was a holiday. The Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with him. Verse 33 when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. One of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear and immediately blood water came out verse 35 and he who has seen has testified in his testimony is true and he knows that he is telling the truth so that you may believe for these things are done at the Scripture should be fulfilled. Not one of his bones shall be broken. This is incredible. Consider this Pilate sent an order that these soldiers would go and break the legs of all three people who are being crucified.

The soldiers under penalty of death. A painful death not only disregarded that order and didn't break the legs of Jesus, but then one of them did something he wasn't supposed to do and put my spirit inside of Jesus. So what they were supposed to do.

They didn't do what he once was to do.

He didn't do all Scripture might be fulfilled in God. When I talk about about your ragtag wannabe soldiers were talking about Roman soldiers were talking about some of those highly skilled and highly trained soldiers in the history of mankind and under the penalty of death. They disregarded what Pilate told him to do to fulfill Scripture that they were not aware of the whole broken bone thing was very important.

Jesus was a picture of the Passover lamb. And speaking of the Passover lamb in X is 1246 it says in one house, it shall be eaten. You shall not carry any of the flesh outside the house, nor shall you break one of its bones speaking about the Passover lamb.

Jesus was and is the picture of the Passover lamb. John chapter 1 verse 29 John the Baptist speaks of him as is. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him said, behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world you were Jewish versions then let you know exactly what John was saying. John 136. He says again and looking at Jesus as he walked he said, behold the Lamb of God, you realize, a 27 times in the book of Revelation, Jesus is referred to as the Lamb of God picture there guys picture is that none of the bones would be broken. He is the Lamb.

He's not just a lamb. He's dealing. He is the only land. Verse 37 and again another Scripture says they shall look on him whom they pierced the understand he is the only way you can be forgiven of your sins. Are you leaning on your own good works is if you are asking a failure. In fact, if you've tried for any length of time to live a perfect life. You've become painfully aware that you can't depend on your own. Good work you depend upon Jesus first Peter 118 says, knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things like silver, gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, Paul explains in verse convince 15 for I delivered to you. First of all that which I also received the Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, do you believe that. Are you acting on that knowledge you acting on that knowledge. Verse 38 after this, Joseph of Arimathea being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews asked, then he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave them permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus is interesting because after his death to see only the people that loved him and believed in him touching and naturally fellowships from this point forward the offer had been made to the whole world, but after the death, his relationship was with those who believe them and such as it is today.

The offer has been made to the whole world, but if you reject Jesus if you've not made it personal. Then you don't really have a relationship with Jesus. Why because your sin is in the way the Lord wants to deal with your sin and he's done everything that he had to do to deal with your sin and the thousand steps that existed between you and him. He's taken 999 up when we know about this Joseph of Arimathea is an interesting man.

We we do know some things about. We know that he was wealthy because the Bible tells us in Matthew 2758 is now when evening had come there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. So we have this God of means that's now following Jesus and anyone again.

The body of Christ is made up of all kinds of different people. I think you know there is one philosophy or teaching that everybody who follows Jesus is supposed to be rich. I don't bother I don't see that in Scripture and we have another philosophy. On the other. And that's is everybody follows Jesus has to unit eat dirt to live. I mean, you know you can't.

You can't have things you got be in at just complete and utter poverty and if you know if you live in a house here in sin, you know, I mean, so I reject both… But those are out of balance. I think the body of Christ is made up of those who might not have a lot of material possessions and yes those that may Joseph had a lot of material possessions.

It it didn't keep him from following the Lord, and it it may be difficult for somebody with possessions to follow the Lord unit Jesus said, you know, the whole eye of the needle thing.

It's easier for a camel to get through. Now the needle not heard explanations. Well, there's this little gate in Jerusalem is called the needle. Have you ever heard that yet. That's really that's bogus. That's there's no historical fact for now. You get a camel throughout the needle. You grind them up. No such but it doesn't say Jesus then says, but with man things are not possible but with God all things are possible. All things are possible. So then Mark chapter 15 verse 43 says Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God coming and taking courage when the pilot asked for the body of Jesus, so he was well-regarded on the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin, and in that's interesting because the King James says that he craved severe strong word in the Greek grave the body of Jesus answer question. You crave the body of Christ and you really crazy last few weeks that is out of town with the family and man I miss church I missed being why because I love it here. I like fellowship and I like to hear what God is doing in your life and in the lives of others and worshiping God with you guys. Love that. And when I'm not here.

I miss that. What's it like for you. Do you crave it as accounting and miss a few weeks. No big deal is that healthy absolutely not recorded, crave the body of Christ. Now I wonder what Joseph was thinking as he receives a broken beaten, bloodied body. I don't think anybody ever had to speak to Joseph of Arimathea about the cross or the suffering that was endured for the pain that Jesus went through and thinking that they can understand. He understood probably more deeply than most of us this morning and from this point forward.

Joseph has this relationship with Jesus and he's boldly now you know for fear of the Jews before now.

I stand before Pilate sank and I have the body of Jesus. Some happened what happened to Joseph. The cross cross, he realized what Jesus endured for him. That's the next life lesson we need to realize what Jesus did for us on the cross when we grab a hold of that when we get a hold of that to understand how easy serving God is when you realize what he did for you see, whenever I'm talking to somebody and in the talk about the hassles of serving God and the they will make amends on the morning to help clean the church on the young tells me when somebody says that they don't have a clear picture of what Jesus did for is when you get that clear picture. It's like man. There's nothing I wouldn't do and then we get a little more personal. When I start going to lose Tom's good yes I have those times when you know will pastor pity party, thing, you know that open crosses got blurry to me that I need to remember what Jesus did for me as I remember what he did for me it puts everything else in perspective is no longer a hassle to serve God. It's a joy in man. I suggest if you're in a moment like that.

The crosses got blurry to you forgotten what he did for you because as we remember what he did for us becomes a joy to serve. We have to come back to that place often will be right back with more from David McGee on cross the bridge right now. Here's a word from associate pastor DA Brown. Hey, we thank you for listening. Today we want to pray specifically for a few cities in our listening audience. Oco firmly Las Vegas Lovelock Reno Eli in round Mountain, Nevada God, we thank you for the cities and the people listening. We thank you for the people who live in the cities. We pray that you would convince and convict them of their need for you and how much you love and everything that you've done for them to have a relationship with you got. I pray that you would fill people with face to say yes that they would put their hope in you, Jesus. We pray for the town governments. The town Council. The mayor, the police chief. Those in the fire department all those working to lead in the cities.

We pray that you give them wisdom and discernment that they will be people of your word you would look to your Bible for answers and God.

We pray that you would pour out your Holy Spirit on the cities for your glory in Jesus name, amen, amen.

Thank you brother and now get back to David McGee as he continues teaching verse by verse, verse 39 and Amos at first came to Jesus by night, also came bring in a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about 100 pounds.

Now there's there's some discussion about how what the weight of these herbs where it was a lot which is interesting because the master question right before the Sabbath, where would Nicodemus have found all these things I've heard different hypothesis that will they were.

They were both wealthy men. They probably had some of those laying around and maybe you know I think I think Joseph and Nicodemus believed Jesus when Jesus said I'm going to.I think they to me. They appear to be ready for this, which means they understood that when Jesus said he was going to die. They understood he was the Passover lamb that would be crucified at Passover and they were sitting there ready knowing it's interesting because the guys that were in the limelight but the disciples suffer. John nowhere to be found. Joseph and Nicodemus who had Been hesitant nor the guys a step forward. That's interesting to me and understand this is just the earthly body of Jesus in the earthly body is only temporary. Your earthly body is only temporary. Understand that some of you and praise God, I mean – that's the reality of it is temporary and you know I try to eat right and exercise and all those sorts of things with this body that's going to go cling to it.

I wanted try to get the most knowledge at the moment so I can accomplish that which have been set forth, but it's just it's just a 10 especially for those who might be suffering with health issues and illnesses and stuff. Don't get too wrapped up in that is just the 10 yeah, some tents have holes in them. Mio symptoms her second little bit that having that just happens as we grow older and then there's more and more patches that have to be put on their you know is just the tent don't don't get wrapped up in that seat.

Paul second Corinthians 417 but we have this treasure in earthen vessels at the excellence of the power may be of God, not of us see at some point we throw off these earthen vessels were done with these bodies will have a glorified body. Remember that while because we didn't not to remember that first Corinthians 1551 just a hold I tell you a mystery, which shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, shall not all sleep, mean, and some of us won't taste death before the coming of Jesus Christ. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.

We have to go through the transformation. We have to go through this transformation and it's a painful thing especially painful when you see people that you love and you care about and you know go through this, but if they know Jesus there. They're not depressed now. They're not her now there glorified their around the throne, praising God, and while we can miss having them here. There's no need to feel sorry for them. Verse 40 then they took the body of Jesus and bound it in strips of linen with the spices is the custom of the Jews is to bury again I'm distraught because the disciples at this moment are gone, but these two guys came to the forefront and I wonder you know after these movements that these guys were they given the holy boot off of the Sanhedrin. I can imagine that they were okay with them. Stay in their actions lost them. More than likely their jobs, their roles in society and yet they were almost about to do this. These guys that had been behind the scenes and you know what that so important next life lesson is often the people behind the scenes that make a difference is often the people behind the scenes that make a difference because so much stuff goes on behind the scenes you just you just wouldn't believe it. All the work of all the that not only that the paid staff at the volunteer staff all the stuff that goes into it into Sunday morning. All the stuff of the sound and the lights in the media in the worship and all these things in the cleaning of the church so much we take for granted mean you know you going to bathroom is a little bit dirty. You get all freaked out, but limit when it get when you go in there and it's clean these things while semi-clean actually gave of their time on a Saturday or Sunday morning clean the bathroom so you'd be blessed behind the scenes to have this little picture in my head that you know when I get to heaven you know the rewards you can be given out neither to look at me go play cucumbers tears down there but you know there's people that were praying for you day after day we recognize them. And again, if you pray for me on a daily. Please pray for me on a daily basis and if you pray for me on a date. Thank you, thank you and understand that when somebody comes for on a Sunday morning. That's not a reward just for me that's a win for us to because as they came in on it if if there would've been a parking space or semi to help in the show were things war, guess what, they might've felt left but they were in here all the stuff in and that's so important any ministry. These are unsung heroes of you will verse 41 now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid, so there they laid Jesus because of the Jews preparation day for the tomb was nearby.

It's interesting on Yom Kippur, the day of atonement they would do something interesting.

The high priest would go in to the holy of holies only once a year in tradition. It's is not the Bible but tradition has been handed down is what they would do is I would tie a rope to his leg because as the high priest went into the holy of holies if he wasn't right or the nation wasn't right. There was the chance that he would be struck.

That they would tie a rope to his wagon and there were bells around the hem of his garment, and you could as he walked around.

You could hear the bells ringing unit so they were outside and they listen for the bells, and if the bells didn't ring for a while he became concerned that they didn't ring for a long while, and they kind of tugged on the rope a little bit how fearful it must've been flat high priest once a year to go into the holy of holies knowing his life was at risk. Contrast that to us. I mean how many of you actually when you came into the doors this morning thought who might die in there today. Hopefully you didn't affect. It's not necessary because now we can approach boldly the throne.

What difference what a difference we don't need a rope. We don't need a net if you will don't need a parachute policy something interesting.

Makes me wonder what Pilate knew it in Matthew 2765 Pilate said to them, you have a guard go your way. Make it as secure as you know how and, suspected something happened is a story and here it is still a great story.

I mean, here's this great teacher who expounded these truths instead up for what was right and even though he was innocent he was crucified, silly, great story.

I may be right up there with other world religions. I guess some of those world religion. People ate God. We know where some of the graves are, but the tomb of Jesus is empty and changes everything. The story doesn't end here. If it did end here would be here.

I'd have little or nothing to say to you, but it doesn't end here grab onto this loved ones. It doesn't end with death.

It ends with the resurrection power because were tempted to think that it ends with death. Your death might death no, no, and it's interesting in terms as we say will so-and-so is not really the Bible says if they know Jesus. The Bible says they never die eternally understand use the word, but one day maybe tomorrow maybe 10 years maybe 20 years, 30 years. I don't so I may say to you while you know Pastor David.don't you believe it, I will be more alive in that moment than I have ever been. Because these truths are eternal doesn't end with death if you know Jesus death was beaten so that now the Savior has one the ultimate victory, and we can follow him and that, do you have this victory are you walking the fear of death is been removed. It doesn't end with death. Luke 1020 says nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

If you come to Jesus and you're involved in ministry.

That's awesome, but don't get confused about something. I mean, it can be awesome seen people come the Lord are discipling people but rejoice because you're going to have. I'm going to have you. You'll recognize me in heaven because I'll be walking around what made it I'm rejoicing that money was written using Joseph of Arimathea is to just for the weekend doesn't end with it ends with the resurrection. And yes, we have to die to ourselves as we follow Jesus, but it ends with the resurrection. How Jesus Christ coming into our lives.

Do you have that power print. Do you know for sure that your sins have been forgiven. You can know right now own Legion. A short simple prayer simply telling God you're sorry and asking him to help you to live for him. Please pray this prayer with me out loud right now. Dear Jesus, I believe you died for me that I could be forgiven and I believe you were raised from the dead that I could have a new life not done wrong things I have sent and I'm sorry. Please forgive me of all those things.

Please give me the power to live for you. All of my days in Jesus name, amen friend of you prayed that prayer according to the Bible you've been forgiven you've been born again. So congratulations premium just made the greatest decision that you will ever make. God bless you, if you pray that prayer with David for the first time we'd love to hear from you.

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Thanks again for listening and join us next time. As David McGee continues teaching verse by verse in the gospel of God