A stranger’s tomb

By mid-afternoon, Jesus had died. Because the next day was a special Sabbath, the Jewish leaders did not want anyone left hanging on a cross. So the soldiers broke the legs of the two men hanging next to Jesus to make them die more quickly. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and blood and water flowed from the wound.

After this, Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus, went to ask Pilate for permission to take Jesus’ body down from the cross. Joseph and Nicodemus then wrapped His body in a long linen cloth with the spices used for burial.

There was a garden near the hill where Jesus was crucified. Joseph owned an unused tomb in the garden, so they laid Jesus’ body in the tomb and rolled a large stone in front of the entrance.

How do we know that Jesus is the promised Messiah?

“Messiah” is a Hebrew word meaning the Anointed One—the One sent from God to save us (Micah 5:2–5). Hundreds of years before Jesus came to earth, God gave the Old Testament prophets and writers signs that would help people recognize the promised Messiah when He came.

Although it may seem obvious to us that these prophecies pointed to Jesus, many people at that time saw Him as an ordinary man rather than the promised Messiah, the Son of God.

So how can we be sure that Jesus is the promised Messiah? Here are three Old Testament prophecies that came true when Jesus died, showing that He is the One God promised to send. As you read each one, see if you can spot the connection between the Old Testament words and what happened to Jesus.

“They divide My garments among them and cast lots for My clothing” (Psalm 22:18).
“He protects all His bones, not one of them will be broken” (Psalm 34:20).
“They will look on Me, the one they have pierced” (Zechariah 12:10).

Verse for today

"We have found the Messiah" (that is, the Christ). John 1:41

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