A special burial place: Christ was buried in a new tomb
Jesus’ body was laid in a tomb where no one had ever lain before. Why did it have to be a new tomb? Four reasons:
– God’s holy one should not see decay (Ps 16:10). Although this undoubtedly refers to Jesus’ body, God provided the most comprehensive fulfillment in that Jesus did not even come into contact with decay on the outside.
– The ashes of the red heifer, a foreshadowing of Christ’s sacrifice, were brought to a clean place (Num 19:9). Thus, the deceased Savior was laid in a place that had not been contaminated by the bones of the dead.
– The Lord Jesus must always have the first place. Thus Christ was also the first to be delivered in Mary’s womb, and He was the first to ride on the donkey colt that carried Him to Jerusalem (Mk 11:2).
– Christ did not come into contact with human bones to make it clear that His resurrection was not brought about by a human instrument, as was the case with the Israelite who came back to life through contact with the corpse of Elisha (2 Kings 13:21).
Every detail of Jesus’ life and death reveals something of his glory!
