“The Tomb Guarded”

“So they made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting a guard.” (Matthew 27:66)

The death of Jesus Christ is a historical fact. It is recorded in all the gospels that His body was given to Joseph of Arimathea by Pilate the very evening of His death. Joseph then wrapped the body of Jesus in clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb, which he had hewn of a rock, and a large stone was rolled against the door of the tomb.

On the next day, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate asking that a guard be set at the tomb of Jesus to secure it against His disciples coming by night to steal the body away and say to the people, “He has risen from the dead” (Matthew 27:64). Pilate responded, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65) “So they made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting a guard.”

These are the facts and they are undisputable. They include real people in history, real places, and real events. Jesus lived, He died by Roman Crucifixion, He was placed in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, His body was sealed inside the tomb, and a large stone was rolled against the door and a guard was set day and night for three days.

Then after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb. It had now been three days and His true identity was about to be revealed.

The Truth: Then Jesus said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (John 2:19)     

"Roman Crucifixion"

“So he (Pilate) delivered Him (Jesus) to them (the chief priests) to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led Him away.” (John 19:16)

Death by Roman crucifixion was a result of the whole body weight being supported by the stretched arms of the victim. When nailed to the cross, there was a massive strain put on the wrists, arms and shoulders often resulting in a dislocation of the shoulder and elbow joints. The rib cage was constrained in a fixed position, which made it extremely difficult to exhale, and impossible to take a full breath. The victim would continually try to draw himself up by his feet to allow for inflation of the lungs enduring terrible pain in his feet and legs. The pain in the feet and legs would become so unbearable, that the victim was forced to trade breathing for pain and eventually die of suffocation. The length of time required to die from crucifixion could range from hours to a number of days.

The punishment of Roman crucifixion was chiefly inflicted on slaves and the worst kind of criminals. Crucifixion was considered a most shameful and disgraceful way to die and condemned Roman citizens were usually exempt from crucifixion. The manner and process of crucifixion was that after the criminal had been scourged and sentence had been pronounced, he carried his cross to the place of execution, which was just outside the city. (John 19:17) The criminal was next stripped of his clothes and nailed or bound to the cross. Before the nailing to the cross took place, a medicated cup of vinegar mixed with gall and myrrh (the sopor) was given, for the purpose of deadening the pangs of the sufferer. (Mark 15:23)

Roman Crucifixion was typically carried out by specialized teams, consisting of a commanding centurion and four soldiers. It was common to leave the body on the cross after death. However, it sometimes became necessary to break the legs of the criminal (as mentioned of the thieves in the Gospels) because Jewish law expressly forbid bodies to remain on the cross during the Sabbath-day.

Jesus died this death for you and for me, that we might have forgiveness of sin - through His atonement. But the best is yet to come, as He will conqure death.

The Truth
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Mark 15 "By His Stripes - We Are Healed"

"So, Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released to them Barabbas; but Jesus he scourged and delivered to be crucified." - Mark 15:15

The Romans would, according to custom, scourge a condemned criminal before he was put to death. The Roman scourge, also called the "flagrum" or "flagellum" was a short whip made of two or three leather (ox-hide) thongs or ropes connected to a handle. The leather thongs were knotted with a number of small pieces of metal, zinc, iron or heavy indented pieces of bronze. Bone was often added to help rip off the skin. Sometimes the Roman scourge contained a hook at the end and was given the terrifying name "scorpion."

The criminal was lashed to a flogging post which would help the "lictors" make deeper cuts into the shoulders, waist and legs. According to Jewish law (discipline of the synagogue) the number of stripes was forty less one (Deut. 25:3) however, scourging among the Romans was a more severe form of punishment and there was no legal limit to the number of blows, as with the Jews.

Deep lacerations, torn flesh, exposed muscles and excessive bleeding would leave the criminal "half-dead." Death was often the result of this cruel form of punishment though it was necessary to keep the criminal alive to be brought to public subjugation on the cross. Therefore, the Centurion in charge would order the "lictors" to halt the flogging when the criminal was near death.

The severe scourging of Jesus (1 Peter 2:24), with its intense pain and appreciable blood loss, most probably left Him in a pre-shock state. The physical and mental abuse meted out by the Jews and the Romans, as well as the lack of food, water, and sleep, also contributed to His generally weakened state. Therefore, even before the actual crucifixion, Jesus' physical condition was at the very least serious and possibly critical. (Isaiah 50:6)

After the scourging, the Roman soldiers began to mock him by placing a robe on his shoulders, a crown of thorns on his head, and a wooden staff as a scepter in his right hand. Next, they spat on Jesus and struck him on the head with the wooden staff which made Him, unrecognizable. (Isaiah 52:14)

This voluntary, loving act was only the beginning of the pain He would endure for us, as the cross still awaits Him.

The Truth
"But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." - (Isaiah 53:5-6)

Psalm 9 “A Psalm of Conquest”

(A Psalm of David to the chief Musician to the tune of Muthlabben)

“Sing praises to the Lord, who dwells in Zion; declare among the peoples His deeds.” (v.11)

Psalm 9 is a psalm of conquest, believed written in response to David’s victory over Goliath. The term Muthlabben means “death of a son” and Goliath was truly the Philistines favorite son. Therefore, this song was created to mark God’s conquest over Goliath through David.

David was not one to take credit for God’s workings in his life. Although sometimes his outward displays seemed self-serving, it was simply his way of giving glory to God. He would, “praise the LORD with all of his heart testifying of God’s marvelous works” (v.1), “exult the LORD” and “sing praises to His name” for “turning back his enemies in defeat” (vv.2-3). David did not hold anything back, he was "all in". This psalm then was meant to be a testament to God, not David, for His hand of protection and provision, and a declaration to the people of God’s power of deliverance as well. 

We too, like David, should not hold back, but sing praises to the LORD testifying of God’s marvelous works in our lives. Therefore, sing out Christian, sing Hallelujah to the LORD! Declare His deeds among the people. Oh! what a Savior.

The Truth: “But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Psalm 8 “A Psalm of Glory”

A psalm of David, to the chief Musician.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him?” (vv.3-4)

This psalm is believed to have been be written by David when he was a shepherd, recognizing the glory of God in creation. As a shepherd, David had many opportunities to lay back in the fields, look up into the heavens, gaze at the stars above, and consider the greatness of God, and the awesomeness of His handy work (v.3). This brought him to the realization of his own insignificance and to ask the question, “What is man?" - in respect to a God who could create a universe like this (v.4).

David went on to answer his own question: “You made him a little lower than the angels and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5). According to the Bible, God made man in his own image (Genesis 1:27), lower than the angles (to live here on earth), but giving him glory and honor by placing him higher than all other living things (Genesis 1:26).  Man then became the creature nearest to God, for God Himself was to live in man to be the glory (the light, the truth), of man's life.

God created human beings to be fully alive in union with Him. Therefore, as heavens tell the heavenly glory of God, we (who have His Spirit within us) need the risen Christ to be fully alive in and through us to express His glory while here on earth.

The Truth: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Psalm 7 “A Cry of David”

Psalm 7 is a shiggaion, or literally “a loud cry” which David sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, the Benjamite. Although we don’t know who Cush was, we do know he was someone who lied to Saul concerning David.

Throughout the psalm David declares his innocence in the matter and declares to the LORD, “ If I am guilty, let my enemy destroy me” (vv.4-5). He isn’t claiming to be sinless here, only innocent of the accusation made against him. He even boldly calls upon God to judge him, placing his defense in the righteousness of God (vv.8-10).

In the face of accusation, condemnation, and slander David says, “My defense is in God. Meaning sooner or later, the slanderer will reap what he sows (vv.14-16). Yes we can choose to defend ourselves against those who would slander us, but once we start down that path, it will never stop. It will become our full-time occupation and build hatred and resentment that will takeover our hearts.

The solution to slander is turn it over to God and let patience have its perfect work.

The Truth: “While being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously.” (1 Peter 2:23)

Psalm 6 “A Prayer of Deliverance”

(A Psalm of David to the chief Musician)

“Return, O Lord, deliver me!; Oh save me for Your mercies’ sake!” (v. 4)

This is one of seven penitential psalms, a psalm that expresses sorrow for sin, a cry of repentance, and a plea for forgiveness. It is common knowledge that this psalm was written by David, but what is not known, are the circumstances surrounding its construction.

Some believe it came out of the adulterous affair David had with Bathsheba followed by the murder of her husband, Uriah. The Rabbis teach, it was written by David when he was in the Philistine city of Gath as he was fleeing Saul who sought to destroy him.

Whichever the case may be, David felt an awareness of his compromises, failures, weaknesses, and sin. Sobbing he cries out for forgiveness and repents. No sooner than the prayer is uttered, David knows his prayer has been heard and that the petition is granted (v.9). 

We too can have these same assurances when we repent of our sin and ask Him for deliverance.

The Truth: “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Psalm 5 “A Prayer of Direction”

(A Psalm of David to the chief Musician Nehiloth)

“Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me.” (v. 8)

The opening of Psalm 5 is a prayer by David for help and refuge in a time of trouble (vv.1-3). In the next few verses, David justifies that cry for help by describing what God abhors: the wicked, the boastful, liars, murders, and deceitful men (vv.4-6). Then, after David describes his own reverence, he asks God for direction in dealing with his enemies (vv. 7-9), even making an appeal to God for their judgment (v.10). However, by the end of his prayer we find David saying, “But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may exalt in You” (v.12) 

Wow, A complete turn around! He goes from asking for protection and judgment on his enemies, to rejoicing in the LORD who has never failed him. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44). It took David a while to get there, and it may take us some time until we can pray for our enemies as well. But, I believe it was here David began to pray in God’s will and that as he prayed, he began to see their greater need, salvation. 

The lesson for us is obvious. When we pray in His will, believing and trusting in Him for our provision and protection, like David, we will be surrounded by His favor, and greater things can happen than we could ever imagine.

The Truth

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1)

Psalm 4 “Confidence in God”

(A Psalm of David To the chief Musician on Neginoth.)

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O Lord, make me to dwell in safety.” (v. 8)

There is nothing in this psalm, or in the title, to determine the occasion on which it was written. The Jewish interpreters generally, and most Christian expositors, suppose that it was composed on the same occasion as the preceding one, in relation to the rebellion of Absalom.

The content of our text expresses a general confidence in God, along with a great sense of security. David, having enemies who are seeking to destroy him, is so calm in his mind that he feels that he can lie down and sleep, even though he had no power to defend himself - He put his trust entirely in the Lord.

The unwavering confidence we see in David here should speak volumes to us as well. To keep our eyes focused on Him who is able to do abundantly more than we could ever ask or think, giving us the confidence to rest in times of distress, and sleep the sleep of kings.

The Truth: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” ( 1 John 5:14)

Psalm 3 “Salvation Belongs to the LORD"

(A Psalm of David when he fled from Absalom his son)

“I cried to the LORD with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill” (v.4)

Here we find David at what may be considered his lowest of low points. His son, Absalom, had betrayed him and led a rebellion against his throne (2 Sam. 15-19). His enemies surrounded him, and his situation seemed hopeless, yet he demonstrates complete faith that God would deliver him. Why? Because David knew God was greater than the terrible situation he was in, even greater than the betrayal of his own son.

He trusted that God would be his protection and seized on the picture of the Lord as a shield (v. 3a), an image also found in Moses’ final blessing on the Israelites (Deut. 33:9). David further declared his confidence that God would not only save him, but give him the victory (v. 3b). He was sure enough of God’s answer that he could sleep peacefully under the Lord’s protection (v. 5), and not loose heart when foes were drawn up on every side (v. 6).

What do we do when things seem hopeless; panic, give up, toss and turn, loose heart? I suggest we take a page from Psalm 3 and go immediately to prayer knowing God is greater than any situation. Then sleep peacefully under our God's protection knowing with Whom we are aligned. 

The Truth: “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’” (Isaiah 12:2)

Psalm 2 “A Royal Psalm”

“I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” (v.6)

Psalm 2 (written by David) is called a royal psalm because it was used at the coronation of the kings who were in David’s line. This psalm leaves no doubt about the absolute nature of Christ’s rule when He returns to take His throne as King and rule in His kingdom.

In light of Messiah’s position as God’s Son and chosen Ruler, the psalmist expressed amazement that rebellious nations would even attempt to resist Him, as His kingdom will not be a democracy. He will rule “with an iron scepter” that smashes His foes like pieces of pottery (v.9).

David goes on to warn Kings and Judges that the only wise response to Messiah’s power and authority is to bow before Him in submission. Failure to do so means being consumed by the fire of His judgment. But those who willingly bow their knees to the King of Kings in submission will find Him to be a refuge, a place of blessing and protection (vv.10-12).

Therefore, take the advise of David in verse 12, “pay homage to the Son, and you will not perish in the way.”

The Truth: “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many diadems; and He has a name written on Him, which no one knows except Himself. He is clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called, The Word of God.” (Revelation 19:11-13)