Joseph went boldly to Pilate and asked him for the body of Jesus. For the first time, Pilate learned that Jesus was dead. The knowledge of Christ’s death had been purposely kept from him. When he heard Joseph’s request, he sent for the centurion who was in charge at the cross and got a report from him of the events at Calvary, confirming the testimony of Joseph. HH 356.3
Joseph returned with Pilate’s order for the body of Christ, and Nicodemus came bringing an expensive mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds of it, to embalm Him. The most honored in all Jerusalem could not have been shown more respect in death. The disciples were astonished. HH 356.4
Neither Joseph nor Nicodemus had openly accepted the Savior while He was living. Such a step would have excluded them from the Sanhedrin, and they had hoped to protect Him by their influence in its councils. But the wily priests had made their plans useless. Jesus had been condemned when Joseph and Nicodemus were absent. Now these two men no longer hid their attachment to Him. They came boldly to the aid of the poor disciples. HH 356.5
Gently and reverently, with their own hands they removed the body of Jesus from the cross. Tears of sympathy fell as they looked on His bruised and lacerated form. Joseph owned a new tomb, cut out of rock, reserved for himself. But it was near Calvary, and he now prepared it for Jesus. There, with John’s help, they straightened the mangled arms and legs and folded the bruised hands on the pulseless chest. They rolled the heavy stone over the entrance to the tomb, and the Savior was left at rest. HH 356.6
While the evening shadows were gathering, Mary Magdalene and the other Marys lingered around their Lord’s resting place, shedding tears of sorrow. “Then they returned and ... rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.” Luke 23:56. HH 356.7
The disciples, the priests, rulers, scribes, and people would never forget that Sabbath. The Jews observed the Passover as they had done for centuries, while He to whom it pointed lay in Joseph’s tomb. Worshipers filled the courts of the temple. The high priest was there, splendidly robed. Priests, full of activity, performed their duties. HH 356.8
But some who attended were restless as the blood of bulls and goats was offered for sin. They were not conscious that symbol had met fulfillment, that an infinite Sacrifice had been made for the sins of the world. But never before had they witnessed that service with such conflicting feelings. A sense of strangeness spread over everything. The Most Holy Place had always been sacredly guarded from intrusion, but now, with the heavy veil torn from top to bottom, it was open to all eyes—a place no longer recognized by the Lord. The uncovering of the Most Holy Place filled the priests with dread of coming disaster. HH 356.9