Catechisma

Lord’s Day 16

Q41. Why was he buried?

His burial proved that he had really died.

Scripture Proofs — King James Version

1

Isaiah 53:9

And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.

John 19:38–42

And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound . Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation ; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.

Acts 13:29

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took down from the tree, and laid in a sepulchre.

1 Corinthians 15:3–4

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

Parent Guide

Discuss this question together

Discussion Questions

  1. 1

    What did the burial of Jesus prove?

  2. 2

    Why is it important that Jesus did not just faint or appear to die?

  3. 3

    What difference does it make for your faith that Jesus was truly dead and buried?

Illustration

When a seed goes into the ground, it looks like the end. But the ground is exactly where new life begins. Jesus' body was placed in a real tomb to prove he had truly died. That makes what happened three days later all the more astonishing.

Application

When things in your life feel finished or hopeless, remember that Jesus' story did not end at the grave. Ask God to help you trust that he brings life out of death.