They say that if you want to better understand something, it is a good idea to explore the history of events to get the right context and perspective.
This idea of a ‘borrowed tomb’ is an interesting one, perhaps because the tomb did not belong to Jesus himself, but to a wealthy Jewish man named Joseph from Arimathea. The ‘borrowed’ idea also presupposes that Joseph had some idea that Jesus would rise again. There was an urgency to adhere to Jewish Sabbath laws, which also made it seemed temporary.
We know Joseph was waiting for the Kingdom of God and secretly believed that Jesus might be the Saviour, but for fear of the Jews (John 19:38), acted in secret with Nicodemus’ help, took down Jesus’ body and placed Him in the brand-new tomb. This is all conjecturing, but perhaps Joseph understood Hosea’s prophecy; “After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, that we may live in His sight.” (Hosea 6:2).
In any cause of events, what we know from reading scripture, is that God always had a plan. In Genesis 3, out of His deep love for Adam and the generations to follow who would be born of sin, He separated Adam from His Kingdom and He put in motion a redemptive plan to bring Adam’s descendants back into His Kingdom, thus fulfilling His original plan – for man to live in eternity with Him.
Adam’s sin brought death upon himself. But for the Father’s unfailing love, whilst condemning the thief and the promise that His son will ‘crush’ his head (Genesis 3:15), Adam’s spiritual death is but a temporary event.
The significance of Adam’s sins is quantified by the sacrifice on the cross. It is also true that if one questions the love of the Father – look at the cross. One of the things that speaks to me is the Father’s unconditional love to Adam. Out of love and affection for Adam whilst a sinner, he sacrificed an animal to clothe him and his wife Eve, to cover their sinful nature and nakedness.
Jesus’ death on the cross then became the ultimate sacrifice, to once and for all put right what was taken from the Father, giving us our rightful inheritance, to gain eternal life with our Father in Heaven. Jesus’ death was always going to be temporary, and yes, the tomb was always going to be borrowed. However it was not by some plans made by man, but by the Father in heaven who is all knowing.
My prayer for us this Easter, is for us to know the love of the Father in a new way, that when we see those around us, we see them through His eyes, His heart, and through His redemptive plans.
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1)
In His richest blessings
Frank Po Ching