This weekend, Pastor Jordan Caro—our Connection Pastor—preached for the first time during our gatherings, sharing from Mark 15:42-47, the moment Jesus was buried.
If Jesus could die and still not be defeated, then death is no longer the end—it becomes a doorway. That’s what we explore in this sermon. Check it out to learn more!
Sermon Notes
The Gospel of Mark Jesus Is Buried // Mark 15:42-47
“And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph. And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.” Mark 15:42-47
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
1. A Surprising Courage “And when evening had come, since it was the day of Preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a respected member of the council, who was also himself looking for the kingdom of God, took courage and went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.” Mark 15:42-43
“After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus - but secretly because of his fear of the Jews…” John 19:38a
Will you still honor Jesus when there’s no sign of victory ahead?
2. A Confirmed Death “Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.” Mark 15:44-45
“If Christ did not really die, that would be the end of the gospel ever bringing any comfort. Nothing short of his death could have paid our debt to God. His incarnation, his sermons and parables and miracles and sinless obedience to the law would have been of no avail if he had not died. The penalty which the first Adam was threatened with was eternal death in hell. If the second Adam had not actually died in our place, the original penalty would have continued in full force against all humanity. It was Christ’s lifeblood that saved our souls.” – J.C. Ryle
If Jesus could die and still not be defeated, then death is no longer the end. It becomes a doorway.
3. A Sacred Burial “And Joseph bought a linen shroud, and taking him down, wrapped him in the linen shroud and laid him in a tomb that had been cut out of the rock. And he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.” Mark 15:46-47
“Nicodemus also, who earlier had come to Jesus by night, came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds in weight. So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews.” John 19:39-40
In the burial of Jesus, we see… 1. Prophecy fulfilled
“He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone. But he was buried like a criminal; he was put in a rich man’s grave.” Isaiah 53:9 (NLT)
2. Proof of death defeated
3. Proclamation of faith
4. Participation in the human experience
