Christ in the Old Testament

Isaiah 53:9

He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth. (NIV)

Today’s Reading: Isaiah 53:7-9 and Matthew 27:57-61

We now turn to the burial of Jesus. This is simply another amazing prophecy. Jesus was crucified next to criminals. These criminals were wicked men that Rome sentenced to die on a cross. Crucified victims would not receive a proper burial. In fact, they were often left to hang on the cross until the birds and scavenger animals ate away at their bodies. Other times the Romans would toss their bodies into a dump where they would burn them.

This was the death that Jesus was assigned. Having been crucified, he was destined to decay. He should’ve been left to hang on the cross for days so the people could see what happens to those that disobey Rome. He should’ve been allowed to rot and then thrown into a dump.

But yet, he was rich in death. God would send a man named Joseph to take his body off the cross before decay set in or the birds ate away at him. Joseph would bravely go to Pilate and get permission to bury Jesus. Joseph was rich and had already prepared a tomb for himself. Joseph would bury Jesus in his tomb – a rich man’s tomb.

This prophecy of Isaiah makes no sense until it is fulfilled in Jesus. The NASB1995 version says:

“His grave was assigned with wicked men,
Yet He was with a rich man in His death.”

The Messiah would be sentenced to death as a criminal yet be buried as a rich man. This turn of events reveals the greatness of our God. We stand in awe of an awesome God who tells us without a doubt that Jesus is the Messiah through such a unique sequence of events leading to his burial in a rich man’s tomb.

Joseph did what no one else could do by caring for Jesus’ dead body. All of Jesus relatives were from Galilee. They had no tombs in Jerusalem where they could bury Jesus. Only because of the love that Joseph had for Jesus did he take him down and bury him.

Jesus claimed to be the Messiah yet he was dead. Joseph had to be confused, afraid and disappointed just like all Jesus’ other disciples. Jesus could do nothing more for Joseph. Yet he cared for Jesus even in this moment. Joseph didn’t know he was fulfilling prophecy. But his gift of love would be recorded for future generations to know his name.

Today’s Prayer: Lord, you are the omniscient God Almighty. I praise you for revealing your plan for salvation to us in such unique and detailed ways. Thank you for the example of Joseph. May I be as bold as he was in my love for Jesus.