Title: The Death of Jesus Christ

Text: John 19:30, 40–42 KJV

INTRODUCTION: THE FORGOTTEN PART OF THE GOSPEL

Each of the four Gospels provides a detailed account of Jesus Christ’s burial (Matthew 27:57-66; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42). When Apostle Paul summarizes the central message of Christianity in 1 Corinthians 15:1–4, he highlights three essential facts: Christ died for our sins as foretold in the Scriptures, He was buried, and He was raised on the third day.

The burial of Jesus comprises a full one-third of that foundational message! Yet, if we are honest, we often skip right over the burial. We preach fervently about the bloodshed on the cross. We shout with joy over the empty tomb on Easter Sunday. But all too often, we hurry right past the grave.

Church, the burial of Christ is not a quiet footnote or a minor detail. It is the sacred bridge connecting His suffering on Calvary to His ultimate triumph over death. It is where the physical reality of His sacrifice rests.

Today, as we look at the word of God, we will see that The Death of Jesus Christ confirms three great truths: The Truth of His Death, The Triumph in His Death, and The Trust in His Death.

Let’s look at these three things together.

I. THE TRUTH OF HIS DEATH: IT CONFIRMS THE GOSPEL

John 19:40-42 – “Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices… There laid they Jesus…”

The cross demonstrated His suffering, but the tomb verified His physical death.

A. The PROOF Presented

Physical Process: The Bible describes Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus retrieving a real, broken body. They wrapped Him in linen infused with seventy to one hundred pounds of aromatic spices, adhering to Jewish burial customs. This was not a spirit or phantom; it was a genuine body that died physically.

During my trip to Armenia in January 2020, a local pastor showed me the tombstone of Bartholomew. This made me realize that if Jesus Christ’s disciples were real people, then Jesus himself must also have existed. My friend, Pastor Daku, a missionary to Fiji, also testified that he has personally seen the place where Jesus was buried. These accounts are all genuine stories from two thousand years ago.

Place Provided: They laid Him in a new tomb in a garden, never before used for burial. This detail is important: it ensured there was no confusion, no mistaken identity, and no accidental contact with another person’s bones. The body in the stone vault was unmistakably Jesus.

This contradicts others’ claims that it was not the Lord Jesus Christ who was crucified, but someone who looked like him. I personally experienced this when a man challenged me to prove whether the person on the cross was indeed the Lord Jesus Christ.

B. The PURPOSE Proclaimed

Payment Completed: Just before He took His final breath, Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished!” (John 19:30). The Greek term Tetelestai was an accounting phrase meaning “paid in full.” The holy law had been fulfilled, and the entire debt for our sin was entirely cancelled.

The work for salvation has already been accomplished by the Lord Jesus Christ. As God, He came into the world in human form to sacrifice His life and shed His blood on Calvary’s cross. Many witnesses have confirmed this event, making it an undeniable truth.

Promise Confirmed: How can we confirm Jesus actually paid the price and died? Because He was buried! An unconscious man can be cared for in bed, but a dead man is laid in a tomb. Without the burial, there’s no tangible evidence of His death.

I remember when I was driving for Grab and I shared the Gospel with my passengers. Everything began when they asked if I was a Christian because of the music I was playing. This opened the door for me to share what I know, how I experienced the Gospel, and how my life was changed by Christ. It was interesting when they questioned how I could have confidence that Christ really died, was buried, and rose after three days, even though I was not there. I responded by asking if they believed that World War I and II were real, and both answered yes based on historical records. I then pointed out that this same belief in historical facts is how I am convinced that Jesus is real—He died, was buried, and rose on the third day. This is a historical event that cannot be denied.

The Gospel you believe isn’t merely a clever myth, philosophy, or poetic expression. It is rooted in historical facts that can be confirmed. Jesus genuinely died in your stead, bearing the full penalty for your sins. Because He truly died, He can truly offer complete salvation!

But praise God, the story does not conclude within a dark tomb…

II. THE TRIUMPH IN HIS DEATH: IT CONQUERS THE GRAVE

John 19:41 – “Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre…”

A. The PLACE Prepared

Peculiar Providence: Observe the divine harmony in Scripture—Jesus was laid to rest in a garden. In the Garden of Eden, the first Adam’s sin led to spiritual death and condemnation for all mankind. Conversely, in a garden tomb, the Last Adam—Jesus Christ—gave His life to defeat sin permanently.

Today, this site has become a popular tourist destination for believers eager to see where the body of the Lord Jesus Christ was laid. However, this is unique because Jesus is not there—because He did not remain dead. He is alive, risen from the dead. This is what sets Jesus apart from the other gods of this world: He lives forever.

Prophecy Fulfilled: He was laid in a wealthy man’s tomb, exactly fulfilling Isaiah 53:9. However, this was only temporary; the tomb was not his permanent home, but a resting place for just three days and three nights.

B. The POWER Proven

Prince Defeated: Satan, the Roman guards, the scribes, and the Pharisees believed they had permanently silenced Jesus when they rolled the huge stone into place. Their goal was complete destruction, but God was secretly working to carry out the most significant act of salvation in human history.

I appreciate the way the songwriter expressed about the risen Saviour.

I serve a risen Saviour
He’s in the world today.
I know that He is living,
Whatever men may say.
I see His hand of mercy;
I hear His voice of cheer;
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near.

 

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.

 

Path Opened: Two-thirds of the Gospel—telling us that Jesus died and was buried—forms the physical foundation of our faith. His literal burial underscores that His resurrection is the ultimate, unquestionable miracle. How can we be certain of His rising? Because the same tomb where His body was laid was found completely empty on the third morning!

What the enemy intended as the ultimate defeat, God transformed into the greatest victory. The cross was not the conclusion, nor was the tomb the final chapter. Whenever you encounter circumstances that appear hopeless or buried, remember that God excels at bringing light from darkness and life from the grave.

Seeing the historical reality of His death and burial is vital, but how does this truth transform our daily walk right now?

III. THE TRUST IN HIS DEATH: IT COMFORTS THE BELIEVER

Romans 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God…”

A. The PERSPECTIVE Perplexing

Pain Present: Picture the deep sorrow of the disciples those days, for three nights and days. They had sacrificed their jobs and dedicated their lives to Jesus. Now they saw only their Teacher, still in grave clothes, sealed behind a cold stone wall. To human eyes, all seemed utterly hopeless, silent, and defeated.

Promise Passed Over: In their grief, they overlooked His promises, unable to see that this dark burial was the essential prelude to the glorious “good news” that would transform the world forever (1 Corinthians 15:17-19; Romans 1:4).

B. The PROVIDENCE Practical

Purpose Preserved: God was in complete control even when the disciples felt entirely abandoned. What looked like silence from heaven was actually God fulfilling redemption and paying for the sins of the world.

Problems Purposeful: You will go through seasons in your life where your circumstances seem pitch-black, silent, and completely dead. But God promises that if you love Him, He is working behind the scenes to orchestrate even the darkest valleys for your ultimate spiritual good and His eternal glory.

Your life may feel like a dark Friday night right now, but hold on—Sunday is coming! God is still working, still sovereign, and still faithful, even when you cannot trace His hand or feel His presence.

CONCLUSION:

Brethren, we have journeyed through the garden and stood by the tomb. We’ve witnessed God’s proof, power, and providence in Jesus Christ’s death and burial. Today, God is asking you a question, just as He did the disciples on that Saturday:

“What are you going to do with what’s in the tomb?”

A. TO THE ONE WHO DOES NOT KNOW CHRIST AS SAVIOUR: If you haven’t trusted Christ yet, standing at this open tomb forces you to face three personal realities:

1. You are a sinner who deserves death. Romans 6:23 – “The wages of sin is death.” Jesus didn’t go to that cross for His sin. He went for yours. He was buried because your sin put Him there.
2. Jesus already paid it ALL. “It is finished.” Paid in full. He didn’t leave 10% on the cross. He didn’t leave your name off the list. He died, He was buried, and He rose again to offer you forgiveness right now.
3. An empty tomb means an open door. The stone is rolled away. The way to God is not blocked anymore. Today you don’t have to stay buried in guilt, addiction, shame, or religion.

• Repent of your sin. That means agree with God that you are a sinner and turn from going your own way.
• And confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 – “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

Don’t leave this place still trying to bury your sin yourself. Let Jesus bury it in His grave. If God is dealing with your heart right now, I’m going to give you a chance to come. You can pray with me:

“Lord Jesus, I know I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me, were buried, and rose again. Today I repent and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Save me.”

“If you prayed this prayer today or made a decision to serve, please reach out to us through our contact page so we can encourage you!”

B. TO THE BELIEVER: IT’S TIME FOR TOTAL COMMITMENT

To all the Saints, listen. The Jesus who emerged from the tomb is calling you to step out of your comfort zone today. The disciples saw a buried Christ and hid, but after the resurrection, they were willing to give everything.

1. Commit your LIFE fully to Him. He gave His body, His blood, and His burial for you. Is He Lord of your calendar, your money, your marriage, your job? Romans 12:1 – “Present your bodies a living sacrifice.” No more half-committed Christianity. No more Sunday-only faith.
2. Commit your RESOURCES to His ministry. That tomb was paid for by Joseph of Arimathea. He gave his new tomb, his spices, his influence. God has blessed you with time, talent, and treasure. Don’t bury it. Invest it in the Gospel. Support this church. Support missions. Give sacrificially. Because people are still dying and going to a Christ-less eternity while we sit on what God gave us.
3. Commit your GIFTS to His service. Some of you have gifts of teaching, hospitality, music, encouragement, administration. God didn’t give them to you to bury them in the ground like the servant in Matthew 25. He gave them so the Gospel can go forward. This week’s challenge for the believer:

Find your “tomb moment.” That place in your life that feels dead. Surrender it. Discover your “ministry moment”—the place where God calls you to serve, give, and go. Approach it with all your strength, trusting that the same God who raised Jesus from the dead can also raise your family, finances, and ministry if you trust and obey Him.