Interesting how your mind works . . . or, as the case may be, how the Spirit guides. Two readings came together this morning to produce a sense of awe, wonder, and gratefulness. One in the gospel of John . . . the other in the Revelation given to John. One concerning the Savior . . . the other related to unrepentant sinners. One a reminder of a death which gives life . . . the other of death which leads only to more death.

First, I read the closing of verses of John 19. “It is finished” . . . Jesus has declared victory from the cross . . . bowed His head and given up His spirit . . . the soldiers have taken a pass on breaking His legs but have, instead, pierced His side with a spear . . . the body has been taken down and claimed by one Joseph of Arimathea who, along with Nicodemus (the seeker by night), have wrapped the body of Jesus in linen clothes along with 75 pounds of spices (19:30-40). Then John records,

Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there.   
                                                                                 (John 19:40-41 ESV)

“They laid Jesus there” . . . that’s the phrase that grabbed me. In recent days images of Jesus laying have come frequently . . . but those have been of the baby Jesus, wrapped in swaddling clothes, laying in a manger . . . the Son of God, become flesh, asleep on the hay . . . Emmanuel, God with us, on His back in humble subjection to His creation. I imagine the meekly, lowly, and holy infant on His back and I am reminded of heavenly love . . . the Light of the World . . . and the Hope of the nations.

“They laid Jesus there” . . . in a cold, hewn out stone tomb . . . lifeless . . . His body abused . . . His face marred beyond recognition. Jesus, the Savior, wrapped in spice filled linen garments . . . Emmanuel, the Holy One of Israel, His blood poured out for our transgressions . . . the Christ, the Lamb of God, offered as the once for all sacrifice for the sins of mankind. The humility of becoming flesh in a manager giving way to the humility of the King being subject to death . . . even death on a cross. And so, they laid Jesus there . . . for my iniquity . . . on my account . . . O’ Come Let us Adore Him!

And because He humbled Himself in a such a manner, I need not fear the phrase I encountered in my next reading in John’s Revelation. Context . . . the wrath of God being poured out on a rebellious world at the end of the great tribulation . . . seven bowls of vengeance delivered upon an unbelieving, unrepentant world . . . and, after the third bowl is poured out, after the rivers and springs of water become blood, John hears the angel in charge say,

“Just are You, O Holy One, Who is and Who was, for You brought these judgments. For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and You have given them blood to drink. It is what they deserve!”    (Revelation 16:5-6 ESV)

“It is what they deserve!” . . . that sends a chill down my spine. God who is Just . . . Who must demand that the wages of sin be paid . . . gave His Son that the debt might be paid in full . . . that He might also be the Justifier of all who would believe and accept the gift of His Son’s death on their behalf. But for those who refuse . . . for those whose sin debt remains outstanding . . . they will get what’s fair . . . they will get what they deserve. O’ how I praise God that I have received . . . through faith . . . and by His grace alone . . . what I don’t deserve.

Because “they laid Jesus there” . . . His parents, in that lowly manger . . . His friends, in that stone cold tomb . . . I sit here this morning with “Paid in Full” written over my sin account . . . redeemed fully by the blood of the Lamb . . . adopted completely into the family of God . . . secured eternally by the indwelling Spirit . . . all because “they laid Jesus there.”

To Him be praise . . . to Him be all glory . . .

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris’n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
“Glory to the newborn King!”