The Burial of Jesus

In the exposition of the Apostle's Creed, our confession asks a simple question and provides an even simpler answer: "Why was He buried? To show thereby that He was really dead." (The Heidelberg Catechism, Q/A 41) The simplicity of the question and answer belie the profound truth expressed in the creed and our confession. For if the Savior had not truly died as some in history have asserted both within the church and without (Docetists and Gnostics), and some currently assert today (the so-called "Search for the Historical Jesus" and Muslims), then you and I still bear our sins and are doomed. But the burial of the body of the Savior is a testimony to His perfection as your mediator and substitute. As we will see in even the small details of John's account, the burial of the body of the Savior is also a testimony that the curse is lifted and when He rises on that glorious morning, we will also know that He has sealed our redemption for all eternity. But without His true death, there can be no true resurrection. And as the apostle reminds the church, "…if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty." (I Corinthians 15:14) – Pastor Schlegel