Father, "into Your hand I commit My spirit"

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit.'" Having said this, He breathed His last.  

 

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done,  beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

 

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  

 

- Luke 23:44–56

 

On Saturday, we read that there were also two others, criminals, who were led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."   But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

  Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. The sixth hour is noon, and the ninth hour corresponds to approximately 3:00 in the afternoon.  We see that the very rhythm of creation is disturbed in this murder of its Creator.  Regarding the veil of the temple, my study Bible comments that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and human beings.  Christ's death, it says, opens the way into the presence of God for all people, giving people access to that which is most holy of all:  God Himself.  In many Orthodox churches, there is a curtain between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services in order to emphasize that communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith. 

 

 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible comments that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  His was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades.  Instead, Jesus gives His soul freely to the hands of God.  So, therefore, He frees all of humanity from the grip of death.  Jesus' death is a reconciliation of humankind to God, not through satisfaction of a need for blood-justice as some might teach, but by causing all aspects of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever divinity touches is healed.  My study Bible says that Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature.  Christ accepts our weakness in order to make us strong; He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin; He suffers in order to transfigure suffering; and He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus is quoting from Psalm 31:5; He is likely praying as the entire psalm is the story of the Crucifixion.  

 

 So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done,  beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible cites St. Cyril of Alexandria, who reflects on the conversion of the centurion as follows:  "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."

 

 Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  If the apostles had buried Christ, my study Bible states, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph of Arimathea, being both a council member and also a good and just man refutes any possibility of deception by the apostles.  Moreover, the spiritual significance of this tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person had ever died.  That is, a death without corruption, a death which leads to victory over the grave itself.  

 

 That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  Christ's rest in the tomb, my study Bible notes, fulfills the image of His birth in a cave (Luke 2:7) and reveals the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming into the world.  The faith of the women, my study Bible adds, while stronger than that of the disciples who are now in hiding, was still imperfect in that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  Moreover, as God rested from His work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  So, therefore, Christ gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning, and He fulfills the Law even in death.  At Matins of Holy Saturday, the Orthodox hymn declares, "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

 

 We should note something a little subtle about the passages in today's reading.  Even though the unthinkable has happened, even though the world and all aspects of creation seem out of whack, upside down, there is a particular rhythm or cycle to what is happening.  It is more or less "upside down" that there was darkness all over the earth from noon until 3:00 P.M.  We're even told that then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple -- established to protect the people from the powerful holiness of God -- was torn in two.  Perhaps these words describe an eclipse, but ancient people knew what eclipses were, and there is clear evidence that astronomical knowledge was developed enough to know their cause.  Nonetheless, these events tell us about the creation that responds to what has just happened, and perhaps even more importantly, what is taking place.  For the powers of heaven are shaken.  Christ the Lord has died His human death and will ascend now to assume all power in heaven and on earth.  In the psalms we read, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard.  Their sound has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world (Psalm 19:1-4).  When Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and His disciples shouted out in His Triumphal Entry, Jesus said to the offended religious leaders, "I tell you that if these should keep silent, the stones would immediately cry out" (Luke 19:40).   In the perspective of Scripture, all of creation forms a kind of icon of the Creator and the reality of the divine life, its purposes, its meanings.  Creation, in this sense, is alive with meanings and messages if we but could understand and hear.  So, as Jesus prophesied of the end times, there are signs in the sun on this occasion; moreover the very veil of the temple has been torn in two, symbolizing the opening of heaven to human beings through Christ's death on the Cross.  And then the rhythm of Creation is taking place.  Jesus dies on the day of Preparation, which we know as Good Friday.  And then the Sabbath comes, and He rests, even as His faithful followers, the women from Galilee, also oversee His resting place, the tomb, and then withdraw so they themselves abide by the Sabbath rule.  What we find, remarkably it seems, is the pattern and path of duty midst all of this upheaval.  Even the pattern of the Preparation and the Sabbath are asserted through the faith of Christ's followers.  Joseph of Arimathea, taking tremendous courage, goes to Pilate and asks for the body of Jesus.  Through his faith and generosity he wrapped Christ's body in linen, and donated an unused new tomb, hewn out of the rock, an expensive gift and honor indeed, unheard of for One who is crucified on a cross in the Roman system of punishments, and for One so ignominiously treated by His own nation and its religious leaders.  As my study Bible noted, Christ goes even as He was born as an infant, in a cave, and wrapped in swaddling.  And although the apostles are in hiding, the women observe the tomb, and prepare what is necessary for His burial:  the spices and fragrant oils.  Then as faithful duty in the rhythm of creation, and their humility before God, they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  These powerful events teach us so much about faith, humility, and duty in the face of the unthinkable and shocking in our lives.  We still have a duty, a job to do.  We still honor God, and do what we know according to the commandments we know.  For Christ teaches us what we are to be about, and how we serve Him under all circumstances.  Let us remember our road, our truth, our life.  Jesus says, as His last words, "Father, 'into Your hand I commit My spirit,'" quoting from Psalm 31.  Ultimately we follow His lead, and commit all things to God's hand, for that is where we belong, too, regardless of what happens in the world around us. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things. 

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment. 

 

- Luke 23:44-56 

 

On Saturday we read that there were also two others, criminals, led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." 

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  In Friday's reading and commentary, we remarked upon what seems like an "upside down" time, a time when evil seems to make a great show.  That there is darkness during the brightest time of the day (the sixth hour corresponds to noon, the ninth hour to 3 p.m.) is another kind of "upside down" sign.  In another sense, we could say that all of these events indicate the disturbance of creation, for the Logos experiences earthly death.  It is almost as if creation itself is mourning in its upside down time, when creatures seek to destroy the Creator.

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.   My study Bible comments that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and human beings.  Christ's death opens the way into the presence of God for all, giving people access to that which is the most holy of all:  God.  In many Orthodox churches, one may see a curtain between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services.  This emphasizes that this communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith. 

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible notes that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  His was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades, my study Bible further explains.  Instead it was freely given into the hands of God.  So, therefore, Christ frees all of humanity from the grip of death.  His death reconciles humankind to God, not by satisfying the Father's need for blood-justice as some might teach, but in causing every aspect of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever divinity touches is healed.  Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature.  He accepts our weakness in order to make us strong.  He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin.  He suffers in order to transfigure suffering.  And finally, He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus' words are from Psalm 31:5, teaching us that He was praying on the Cross.

Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible quotes St. Cyril of Alexandria, who reflects on the conversion of the centurion  St. Cyril writes, "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."  Let us also note that the Gospel gives us these various strata of people in response to Christ.  There is the whole crowd who came together, and seeing what had been done causes them to beat their breasts in anguish and return.  But the acquaintances of Christ are different, and these include the women who followed Him from Galilee.  They stood at a distance, almost seemingly passive, watching these things.  But they are the ones who were already warned by Christ what was to come to Him in Jerusalem.  They are the ones, one feels, who love Him.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  My study Bible comments that, if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  Joseph, as both a council member and a good and just man refutes any possibility that the Lord's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  The spiritual significance of a tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person had ever died.  That is, a death without corruption, and a death leading to victory over the grave itself.  Let us also note that here we are given yet another layer of the people of Jerusalem and who surround the story of Christ.  Joseph of Arimathea as both a rich man (indicated by this grave hewn out of rock where no one had ever lain before) and a council member reminds us that the Gospels do not present human beings as monoliths.  Joseph had not consented to the decision and deed of the rest of the council, although he was a prominent member (Mark 15:43).  In this viewpoint of the Gospels, nothing in our nominal worldly identity prevents us -- or anyone else -- from being a good and just person and one who loves Christ and awaits the kingdom of God -- and even boldly acts that love as does Joseph of Arimathea.

And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  Christ's rest in the tomb fulfills the image of His birth in a cave. (See Luke 2:7, where this manger would have been by custom in a cave for the animals).  This understanding reveals the ultimate purpose of Christ's coming.  The faith of the women, while stronger than that of the hiding disciples, was still imperfect in that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  My study Bible adds, regarding the Sabbath:  As God rested from the work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  Therefore, Jesus gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning and fulfills the Law even in death.  My study Bible quotes a hymn from Matins of Holy Saturday:  "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

 

There is a kind of stoicism one might read in the followers of Christ.  Perhaps we should not understand stoicism as a word referring to a specific philosophy, but a more generalized term to indicate a particular attitude or disposition.  Christ's followers accept.  They are not the ones who are beating their breasts and making an outcry of grief.  They watch even from a distance all the things that happen.  Perhaps they are following Christ's words of warning about what is to come in the future disasters in Jerusalem, or perhaps they are merely responding to Christ's repeated warnings that this was to come for Him.  After all, He has shown them the way, as He could under the particular circumstances of the events in the days just before His Passion.  He would not let them fight for His life; He even healed the ear of the servant of the high priest (see Luke 22:49-53).  See also John 18:36, in which Jesus testifies to Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here."  No, His servants do not make a revolution nor even a stir, but watch from afar.  There is then Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy man about whom we've not heard anything in this Gospel before now.  But Joseph is a good and just man, who does not consent to the decision of the Council, and he acts quite courageously in giving this new and unused rock tomb -- a quite expensive gift -- for Christ's burial.   Finally, there are the women, who pay attention to what it is their business to do.  These are the women of such faith that they have followed Him from Galilee.  Earlier we were told they were supporting His ministry from their own means (Luke 8:1-3).  They also do not spend time wailing and mourning, but like Joseph, they do what is necessary.  They get to work.  They go to this tomb and observe how it is laid out.  Then they return to prepare spices and fragrant oils, so that they may do the proper burial.  But they must, dutiful as they are, rest on the Sabbath.  All of these people who are the ones indicated in the text who love and follow Christ, they make of themselves a pattern that we can recognize.  They accept what has happened and do what is necessary.  But what seems to characterize their behavior is that they examples of truly "good and faithful servants" (see Matthew 25:23).  They remind us of what we are to be doing, of the proper attitude we must take, as we await the Master's return.  These are the ones who do not waste time with passions that can so often take us off track.  They are the faithful and wise servants, alert to what is necessary, doing the things that need to be done.  They are also the ones who are watchful, who do not waste time in unprofitable pursuits, forgetful of what they are to be about (Luke 21:34-36).  They have not lost themselves to the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and to desires for other things (Mark 4:18-19).   It is these few, perhaps, who are keeping everything together for the making of the future Church, providing what is necessary, and doing what they must, and they are all examples of what our lives are supposed to be.  For even in this worst of all circumstances, at a time when the unthinkable has happened, when even the sun is blacked out from its glory in seeming grief of the created universe, these stand back and do what they are able and what they must, and they do not wait for others to tell them what to do.  They know what to do and do what they can.  For these women, especially, who have followed Him from Galilee, this faithful and true behavior will serve to bring the greatest news of the world, for which they will be the first bearers into the world.  

Certainly this was a righteous Man!

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.  And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.  That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.

 

- Luke 23:44–56

 

On Saturday, we read that there were also two others, criminals, led with Jesus to be put to death.  And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left.  Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do."  And they divided His garments and cast lots.  And the people stood looking on.  But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, "He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God."  The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, "If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself."  And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:  THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.  Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us."  But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?  And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong."  Then he said to Jesus, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom."  And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."

 

 Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.  Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two.   These are natural indicators of a strange, upside-down, evil time, in which incomprehensible violence is done to what is essentially good.  The sixth hour is noon, a time when the sun is highest and brightest in the sky, and casts no shadows but those immediately under objects, but there is darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour (3:00 PM), throughout what is normally the brightest period of the day.  My study Bible reminds us that the veil that separated the Most Holy Place from the rest of the temple was a symbol of the separation between God and man.  Christ's death opened the way, it says, into the presence of God for all people, and giving access to that which is most holy of all:  God.  In many Orthodox churches, there is a curtain drawn between the altar and the nave which is drawn open during liturgical services, in order to emphasize that communion with God, which was at one time sealed off from humanity, is now available to all who approach in faith.

And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'into Your hands I commit My spirit.'"  Having said this, He breathed His last.  My study Bible comments that Jesus does not have His life taken from Him, but He will voluntarily commit it to the Father.  Christ's soul was the first human soul not to be taken to Hades, my study Bible explains.  Instead, it was freely given into the hands of God.  Therefore, Christ frees all of humanity from death's grip.  His death reconciles humankind to God, not by satisfying the Father's need for blood-justice as some might teach, but by causing every aspect of our corrupt human nature to be transformed -- for whatever is touched by divinity is healed.  Christ accepts human nature in order to sanctify human nature; He accepts our weakness in order to make us strong; He takes on our sin in order to free us from sin; He suffers in order to transfigure suffering; and He enters death in order to destroy it (1 Corinthians 15:20-28).  Jesus voluntarily enters death as the divine Son of God, and thereby can destroy the last enemy, which is death itself.

 

So when the centurion saw what had happened, he glorified God, saying, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  And the whole crowd who came together to that sight, seeing what had been done, beat their breasts and returned.  But all His acquaintances, and the women who followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.  My study Bible cites the commentary of St. Cyril of Alexandria regarding the conversion of the centurion.  St. Cyril writes:  "Observe that no sooner had Christ endured the Passion on the Cross for our sakes than He began to win many unto knowledge of the truth."  Let us all note the faithfulness of His acquaintances, and specifically of the women mentioned who followed Him from Galilee.

Now behold, there was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just man.  He had not consented to their decision and deed.  He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.  This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Then he took it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out of the rock, where no one had ever lain before.   My study Bible remarks that if the apostles had buried Christ, doubters could claim His body was simply hidden away.  But Joseph, being both a council member, and a good and just man, refutes any possibility that Christ's body was deceptively hidden by the apostles.  It notes that the spiritual significance of a tomb where no one had ever lain before is that Christ died a death unlike any person who had ever died:  a death without corruption, and one leading to victory over the grave itself. 

 

That day was the Preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.  And the women who had come with Him from Galilee followed after, and they observed the tomb and how His body was laid.  Then they returned and prepared spices and fragrant oils.  And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.  My study Bible says that Christ's rest in the tomb fulfills the image of His birth in a cave (Luke 2:7), and also reveals the ultimate purpose of His coming.  The faith of the women, while stronger than that of the hiding disciples, is still imperfect in the sense that they prepared for the corruption of Christ's body.  Regarding the Sabbath:  My study Bible writes that, as God rested from the work of creation on the original Sabbath (Genesis 2:1-3), so now Christ rests from the work of the new creation on the Sabbath.  Therefore Christ gives the Sabbath its ultimate meaning, and fulfills the Law even in death.  An Orthodox hymn for Holy Saturday Matins declares, "This is the most blessed Sabbath on which Christ sleeps in order to rise on the third day."

Often we think of Christ on the Cross, alone, surrounded by enemies and those who hate Him, mock Him, even spit on Him (Matthew 26:67-38, 27:30).  But the text tells us that there are those who did not desert Him, there are those who mourn, even those who come to faith, such as the centurion who declares, "Certainly this was a righteous Man!"  The text tells us that the whole crowd came together and saw what had been done, and beat their breasts in a sign of grief, even repentance at the sinfulness of what has just taken place.  St. Cyril of Alexandria suggests that we make careful note that immediately after Christ endured His Passion, He began already to win many to the knowledge of the truth.  He suggests that those who beat their chests could not dare do anything more openly against their rulers, and reminds us that Christ said, "When I have been lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to myself" (John 7:32).  And then there are those who are Jesus' acquaintances, and the women who've followed Him from Galilee, who watch from a distance.  St. Ephrem the Syrian writes that this is in fulfillment of Scripture:  "My neighbors stood far off" (Psalm 38:11).  But it is these women from Galilee who will come to the tomb to tend to His body.  Finally, we also read of the heroic bravery of Joseph of Arimathea.  This is a wealthy man, for such a tomb would have been extremely costly.  Moreover, he was notably a council member, whom the text tells us was a good and just man, also awaiting the kingdom of God.  It is so very important that we understand that there is no black and white underscoring of groups of people in this story.  The ultimate blame for the evil that has happened goes to spiritual forces of evil, to Satan, who works through the passions (such as envy and greed) of human beings, through our weaknesses, through our temptations.  But although the leaders have instigated this horrific death, we cannot say of the entire council that it is evil, as notably Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus are believers and faithful to Christ; here Joseph takes great courage to go openly to Pilate and ask for Christ's body, placing His body in a tomb never before used by anyone.  Some in the crowd beat their breasts in grief, just as the women of Jerusalem who wept while Christ was being led to the place of crucifixion.  There is nothing in the story of the Gospels that condemns one group or another -- however we want to name those groups -- as all bad, for each person has their own choice to make, and the Gospel gives us individuals of every stripe who boldly love Christ, including even the centurion at the Cross who declares Him to be a righteous Man, and will himself become known as a saint of the Church.  It is most important that we understand these things that are given to us in the Gospels, because any lesser observation is wrong, and the foundation of terrible error.  There is a quotation about good and evil found in The Gulag Archipelago, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn:  "Gradually, it was disclosed to me that the line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either — but right through every human heart — and through all human hearts."   Jesus speaks throughout the Gospels of the reality of the human heart:  our weaknesses and temptations, the passions we jealously guard, and our willingness to let these things go in order to live holy lives.  These individuals and every exception to every group tell us of the importance that we understand this struggle in the heart as our real calling, our true spiritual battle.  When we misplace that focus, all manner of error and tragedy can happen.  Although the religious leadership of the Jews would persecute the early Christians (and the man who would become St. Paul chief among persecutors), let us recall that every follower of Christ in the Gospels (with the possible exception of the centurion) was a Jew.  This is what we are taught and what we hold to our hearts, as we also grow in our faith --  as will the apostles, the early Church, and all the women in the text who've remained loyal to Him since the beginning in Galilee.