Christ; but Luke makes not the slightest unfavorable
reflection upon his character. He declares definitely that this powerful
and influential member of the sanhedrin "had not consented" to the
"counsel and deed" of the rulers who had compassed the death of Jesus; and
now in the hour when his Master was most deeply dishonored, he risked the
scorn of the people and the hatred of the rulers and begged from Pilate
the body of Jesus, which he wrapped in linen cloth and lay reverently in
his own new, rock-hewn tomb. It was a deed of loving devotion, and adds a
gratifying contrast and a touch of tenderness to the story of the cross.

Other loving hearts longed to have a part in this expression of affection.
The women who had followed Jesus out of Galilee, noted the place of his
burial and purchased perfumes to embalm the body of their Lord. However,
as the declining sun marked the beginning, at eventide, of the Sabbath,
they rested until the first day of the week, and then they found that
their task was needless. It was well to show affection for the crucified
Master, it is a greater privilege to serve a risen Lord.

K. The Empty Tomb. Ch. 24:1-12

1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came unto
the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 And they
found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 And they entered in,
and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass,
while they were perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by
them in dazzling apparel: 5 and as they were affrighted and bowed
down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye
the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen:
remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7
saying that the Son of man must be delivered up into the hands of
sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. 8 And
they remembered his words, 9 and returned from the tomb, and told
all these things to the eleven, and to all the rest. 10 Now they
were Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the _mother_ of James:
and the other women with them told these things unto the apostles.
11 And these words appeared in their sight as idle talk; and they
disbelieved them. 12 But Peter arose, and ran unto the tomb; and
stooping and looking in, he seeth the linen cloths by themselves;
and he departed to his home, wondering at that wh