Sunday 1st Service Worship Title/Scripture: The Tomb That Became the Temple (Mark 15:42-47)
Speaker: Rev. Kwang-Su Ryu
Date/Location: July 31, 2022, Immanuel Church (Busan)
Mark 15:42-47 (NIV)
It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.
Summary
▣ Introduction
We want to live our life of faith well, and we also want to receive answers to prayer, but we do not know well the method by which we receive answers. How do we receive answers? There is exactly one method.
1. Find God’s absolute plan and be within it.
1) Moses’ mother
When all the children were about to be killed, she found God’s absolute plan.
2) Joseph
In the situation where his brothers tried to kill him and then sold him, Joseph found God’s absolute plan.
3) Jesse
He saw God’s absolute plan to the extent of sending David on an errand in the midst of war.
2. The worst situation in history
The worst situation in history occurred. They put the crucifixion, meant only for the guilty, on Jesus who was without any sin, and executed him on the cross. And they completely decided that those who followed Jesus were heretics. So they cruelly nailed Jesus to the cross and killed him.
1) The figure who appeared at this time was Joseph of Arimathea
At this time Joseph of Arimathea came before the judge and requested Jesus’ body.
2) Joseph of Arimathea
Joseph of Arimathea is described as a respected figure and a member of the Council. He held leadership and a high position like a member of our country’s National Assembly. Such a person came forward and said he would hold Jesus’ funeral.
3. Joseph of Arimathea, who did what has happened only once in history
Very important secrets for receiving answers to prayer come out here.
1) He made his request within a window of only three days, in a timetable of eternity
It was something that happens only once in history, and even within the timetable called eternity, the opportunity was only three days. This is what he requested.
2) He provided the beginning of the right temple
Jesus took up a whip when he saw the Jews who had blocked the three courtyards. At that time Jesus said, “My house is the Lord’s house of prayer. It is a house of prayer for all peoples. You have turned it into a den of robbers.” And he went on to say, “I can tear down this temple and build it in three days. I will die and rise again from the tomb in three days. That is exactly what the temple is.”
The person who provided this tomb was Joseph of Arimathea. In fact, this is where the truest temple in the nation of Israel began.
▣ Main
We must learn today the three things about Joseph of Arimathea. What kind of faith is this?
1. A first in the history of Israel (Nobody)
1) Verse 43, “one who was waiting for the kingdom of God.”
He went boldly, indeed audaciously, risking death. He asked that Jesus’ body be given to him so it could be buried here. This was a complete challenge into Nobody. Do this.
2) One who was waiting for the kingdom of God
(1) Genesis 3:15 — this means he knew that what is spoken of in Genesis chapter 3, verse 15, would be fulfilled.
(2) Exodus 3:18 — this means he knew that on the day the blood of the lamb was applied in the time of Moses, Israel was set free. It means he knew that word.
(3) Isaiah 7:14 — this means he knew that when they were carried off captive to Babylon, a virgin would conceive, Immanuel. It means he knew that word.
(4) John 2:13-22 — Jesus spoke strongly only this one time. It means he knew the incident where the whip was thrown.
2. Something that exists nowhere else (Nothing)
1) A funeral that remains forever in history, that will be remembered for all time
It was the Sabbath, a day when nothing was permitted to be done. And because he had died bearing the false accusation of being a heretic and being treated as a criminal, no one came forward. Here, the respected council member Joseph of Arimathea gave to Jesus his own tomb cut into the rock, the kind that kings and nobles were placed in.
2) Verse 46, “bought some linen cloth, took down the body, and wrapped it”
And he took the body down and wrapped it in fine linen with his own hands. Linen was originally the fabric used for the clothing worn by the priests, the Levites. And the curtain of the tabernacle was linen. More importantly, what wrapped around the outer fence of the tabernacle was also linen. With this he wrapped Jesus’ body.
3) The historic empty tomb
Jesus rose from this tomb. Just as he had said. Put simply, a historic empty tomb was made. This is the temple that is eternally the witness.
(1) 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures”
(2) 1 Corinthians 15:20, “the firstfruits”
This statement carries tremendous meaning. “Now that he has risen, Christ is keeping and protecting the church.” “Christ, with the same blessing by which he can raise the dead like many bones, is present and at work even now.”
3. The tomb is exactly three courtyards
More importantly, this place is exactly three courtyards.
1) The courtyard of the Gentiles
Later, this tomb where Jesus rose became a memorial, and the Gentiles came to visit it.
2) The courtyard of prayer
People who find it hard to speak in front of others, people who are struggling greatly, come here to pray. The tomb itself is not an idol, but they go and pray in front of it.
3) The courtyard of the children
As the ages go on, more and more, people come to learn many things there.
▣ Conclusion
Build a church that has never existed in history. Make your work an artwork that has never existed in history. How do you make it? Go by way of nobody, by way of nothing. This tomb was completely turned into the temple. Make it happen that all that you have chosen turns into a history in which it becomes a temple that testifies of Christ. Take hold of this covenant.
You must set your prayer topics precisely in order to receive an answer. Only then can you produce a 237, healing, summit church that even now, nobody could achieve, that even now has never existed until this time, by way of nobody and nothing.
Transcript
For three years starting in 1988, we carried out evangelism here. Even though we were down in a basement, more than a thousand disciples gathered. And so requests for training came from here and there, and people also came here to be trained. That was from around 1991. In the 1990s, before 2000 came around, honestly, every answer to prayer came. At that time, the first place I went was the Gyeonggi-do Immanuel Retreat Center in Seoul. I did training there, and ran a seminary there too. I once went to see that director. I said to him, “Sell this prayer center to me.” That’s what I said. This man, who had prayed a great deal and thought it over for quite a while, ended up selling it to someone else. Because there was a buyer offering more money, he sold it to them. And that day he looked at me and kept apologizing, and even gave a mission offering. But now, twenty years later, that prayer center has become our Immanuel Seoul Church. Also, in the 1990s, likewise, when we took our children to train them, we had no place to go. There was just one building called the Deokpyeong Retreat Center. We began training at Deokpyeong Retreat Center, and there, the director told us to buy it from him and look. So we bought it. That is now our RUTC. God answers precisely, that’s how it is.
The church grew, but when the Spirit came in, there was no place. We had no land. When people came down after Reserve Forces training, they would come down this way. I asked, “Is there a road that way too?” and it turned out there was a factory there. I found out there was indeed a way down to it. So I went down there with them. “Oh, there’s a factory here!” I said. It turned out this had once been a famous shamanistic site, and a factory had been built by purchasing it. At that time I thought, “Oh, if we made this into a church, it would be really good.” Because there was no land in Yeongdo. And then one day, we ended up buying it. God gave us many answers, and he gave them at exactly the right time.
▣ Introduction
We say, “We want to live our life of faith well. We also want to receive answers.” But we do not know well the method for receiving answers. Today you must find it without fail.
1. Find God’s absolute plan and be within it.
How do you receive an answer? When I am facing extreme difficulty, how do I receive an answer? There is exactly one method. It is finding God’s absolute plan. You just need to be within it.
1) Moses’ mother
All the children were about to be killed. Moses’ mother found God’s absolute plan.
2) Joseph
Before that, his brothers tried to kill Joseph, and then sold him instead. He found God’s absolute plan. This is extremely important. All seven of the Remnant did this, and all their parents did as well.
3) Jesse
Even when war had broken out, he sent his young son on an errand, saying, “Bring back proof.” That means, “Go into danger, but be sure to deliver it and bring back proof.” That is what he meant. There, David encountered Goliath. God’s amazing plan was contained within that.
2. The worst situation in history
You must understand the way to receive answers to prayer. The worst situation in history occurred. They took the crucifixion, applied only to murderers, and forced it upon Jesus who was without any sin, and executed him on the cross. And they completely decided that those who followed Jesus were heretics. That is what the church decided — the church itself. In the nation of Judea, since the religious body was also the law and the state, once it decided something, that was the end. It was not simply a decision — rather, everyone who had followed Jesus was declared a heretic, and the order was, “They must no longer be allowed to act; kill them or imprison them.” And so they cruelly nailed Jesus to the cross and killed him. To take a living person’s hands and feet, layer them, and drive in nails — that is not a simple matter. It means the nail goes through and pierces the bone. That is an enormous thing, is it not? And then, to make sure he died, they pierced his side so that all his blood would drain out.
1) The figure who appeared at this time was Joseph of Arimathea
The figure who appeared at this time was Joseph of Arimathea. The town of Arimathea has the same name as Ramathaim-zophim. The reason this name is mentioned is that it is Samuel’s hometown. A man from that town, Joseph, came before the judge. That is remarkable. He said, “Give me that Jesus’ body.” That is what he said. Looking at today’s passage, it says he asked “boldly.” Like that.
2) Joseph of Arimathea
This Joseph of Arimathea is described as a respected figure and a council member. Being “respected” means that many people knew this man and that he held leadership. Being a “council member” means, in today’s terms, a position higher even than a member of our National Assembly. This man came here. And he said, “Give me Jesus’ body.” Simply put, he was saying he would hold the funeral. But that authority lay with Rome. The authority lay with Rome, and even within Rome, it lay with that particular judge. If the judge said he could not give it, then it could not be given. But in this case, the judge granted permission.
3. Joseph of Arimathea, who did what has happened only once in history
What does this mean? Here we find things that are extremely important for receiving answers to prayer. This Joseph of Arimathea did something that happens only once in history. Do that. He did something that has happened only once in history. And what’s more, he gave to Jesus the very tomb he himself had prepared to be buried in. That, too, is something Jews hated most of all. It is dangerous. And what’s more, looking at Scripture today, in defiance of the law, this was the day before the Sabbath. The Jews were not allowed to do anything on the day before the Sabbath. It was the law. In order to keep the Sabbath, they finished all their preparations by evening. At that very moment, he hurried and said, “Give me Jesus’ body.” And so he did that, and buried Jesus in the tomb that he himself was meant to enter. And then, following that custom, it is recorded, “He rolled a great stone to block the entrance.” And so it is that the Roman soldiers and the Jews had to go and guard that tomb. That is how this event unfolded.
1) He made his request within a window of only three days, in the timetable of eternity
Now, very important secrets for receiving answers to prayer come out here. Something that happens only once in history. And what’s more, within a timetable called eternity, the opportunity was exactly three days. This is what Joseph did. And Scripture allows us to confirm remarkable records here. It says “a respected man.” And the term “council member” means “a man of power.” Now, if it had been someone without means, someone without power, who had come and asked for the body, what would have happened? If the Jews had asked for the body, what do you think they would have done with it? They would surely have sent it to wherever criminals go. But Joseph of Arimathea came and asked for the body and took it to the wealthiest place there was.
2) He provided the beginning of the right temple
But here’s what matters — you remember, in John chapter 2, Jesus went to the temple and rebuked people severely, don’t you? Right? That too was because it was not a rightful temple — it was a temple whose three courtyards had been destroyed. Remember this well. A church without the three courtyards is not a church. It will inevitably close its doors. God himself causes it to close. Attending a church without the three courtyards is the same as being a Jew who attends only to be ruined. You must remember this absolutely. That is why, when Jesus saw that the courtyards had been blocked off, he picked up a whip, remember? Right? The Jews simply could not understand it. They said something like, “How dare you commit such violence?” That’s how they responded. Jesus said, “My house is the Lord’s house of prayer. It is a house of prayer for all peoples. You have made it a den of robbers.” That’s what Jesus said. And then he made this statement: “I can tear down this temple and rebuild it in three days.” Jesus said that, didn’t he? So the Jews said, “Have you lost your mind? This took forty-six years to build. Are you saying you’ll rebuild in three days what took forty-six years to build?” That is when Jesus said these words: “I will die and rise again from the tomb in three days. That is exactly what the temple is.” What an incredible statement. The one who provided this tomb was Joseph of Arimathea. And so, in fact, this is where the truest temple in the nation of Israel began.
▣ Main
Now, we must firmly hold onto today’s passage regarding what kind of answer we should receive and how we should live. Starting this new week, WRC begins. We are beginning much prayer and consecration for the building of the temple. This is a historic beginning that started our gospel movement, one the whole world is watching. What must we do? We must learn today the three things about this Joseph of Arimathea, who began a truly rightful temple. What kind of faith are we talking about?
1. A first in the history of Israel (Nobody)
The first point. This is something that had never happened before in the history of Israel. It is Nobody. You must without fail go this way.
1) Verse 43, “one who was waiting for the kingdom of God.”
Look at what is recorded in verse 43 today: “a respected man, a council member” — but what follows matters. “One who was waiting for the kingdom of God” — that changes everything. Among the council members of Israel, among the chief priests, among the Pharisees, no such figure had ever emerged. Look at the situation surrounding “one who was waiting for the kingdom of God.” That was the situation. “Boldly” — indeed audaciously, risking death, he went, risking crisis, and said, “Give me Jesus’ body.” This was a complete challenge into Nobody. Do this. What is our introduction today about? It is about something that happens only once in history. Build a temple that has never existed in history. Create your own work that has never existed in history. Remnant, make even your studies into a work that has never existed in history. This is possible. Why? Because we know God’s power, and because it is easy, precisely because no one else does it. Whatever your occupation may be, I am telling you to produce something that has never existed in history. In order to do that, he chose three things — what was the first? Nobody. No one else can do it. He entered into that place.
2) One who was waiting for the kingdom of God
“One who was waiting for the kingdom of God” — if you simply pray this, your answers will change from now on, no matter when.
It means knowing that what Genesis 3:15 fulfills. It means knowing that on the day the blood of the lamb was applied in the time of Moses, Israel was set free. That is what it means to know that word. It means knowing that, long ago, when they were taken captive to Babylon, the name of the one a virgin would conceive was Immanuel — knowing that. It means knowing the incident when Jesus, that one time, spoke with such strength and threw the whip. This is the man who came and asked for the body. Isn’t this remarkable? Remember this. You and I are not doing many useless things. We are pursuing something that has never existed on this earth. There are three ways to achieve that. Going by way of nobody — this is the method.
2. Something that exists nowhere else (Nothing)
The second point. It is something that exists nowhere else. And this is what we call nothing.
1) A funeral that remains forever in history, that will be remembered for all time
What does this mean? He held a funeral that would remain forever remembered. A funeral that would remain eternally in history. Everyone, when I look at our church, it seems that when believers face hardship or a death occurs, we don’t show much concern. That is an extremely important matter. When a believer, as an individual, faces hardship, or when a believer, as an individual, faces a death — that is not merely a personal matter, but something of great importance. Jesus needed a funeral, but no one came forward. This man came forward.
Now here is something we must look at closely. This man’s occupation, being a council member, meant he was a representative of Israel. He was a representative of the church of Israel. The very word “council member” means “fence” or “boundary” — it is an extremely powerful, weighty occupation. But look closely — he did not simply bring Jesus’ body and place it into a tomb. Look closely. What is recorded in the text? It says “a tomb in the rock.” This is a completely different kind of statement. A tomb in the rock does not mean a simple grave — it refers to a great house, carved like a cave inside a great rock, within a great stone. That is what this tomb refers to. Do you understand what this means? It is the kind of tomb that kings and nobles are placed in. Records show that anywhere from one person up to fifty people were placed in such tombs. That means an entire family clan would be buried there. And it means he had built an extraordinary house for this purpose. He gave that to Jesus. This was an extraordinary funeral. There was no time, was there? If not at that exact moment, there would have been no other time. And yet it was the Sabbath. Because everything had to be prepared for keeping the Sabbath, nothing else could be done. And because Jesus died bearing the false accusation of being a heretic, treated as a criminal, no one came forward. Here, this respected council member, Joseph of Arimathea, appeared and offered up his own tomb. This truly is nobody and nothing.
In that land, such tombs were usually caves made of limestone, they say. They hardly decayed, and they became an extremely important part of things. More importantly, being “a tomb in the rock” also means it was located in a place with a wide view. And no matter how great the flood, it was a great rock that would never be shaken. Even during great disasters, they say people would hide there — it served as a refuge. Even the poor, when facing severe hardship, would go there to rest for a while, to take shelter — it is said to have served as such a refuge. Even the villagers would build altars in front of such openings among great rocks. This is what he gave to Jesus. Just think about the situation. With the faith we have now, this would be something we could easily do — but at that time, this was truly a grave risk, in reality.
2) Verse 46, “bought some linen cloth, took down the body, and wrapped it in it”
And he brought the body down and wrapped it with his own hands in fine linen. This is recorded in verse 46. Linen, everyone, was originally the fabric of the clothing worn by the priests, the Levites. And what matters more — you know the curtain of the tabernacle? That was linen. But it goes even further than that. You know the tabernacle, the thing Israel regarded as most important? What wrapped around the fence outside the tabernacle was linen. With that he wrapped Jesus’ body.
Isn’t this remarkable? Everyone, there were so many disciples, and how many other people were there? They all ran away in fear. Once Jesus was falsely accused as a heretic and sentenced to death, everyone turned their hearts away. Calculating businessmen did not appear. Politicians who cannot afford to be criticized did not appear. Isn’t that right? But here, this man appeared. And he gave his own extraordinary tomb — to Jesus.
3) The historic empty tomb
And it was from this tomb that Jesus rose. Just as he had said. Simply put, he left behind a historic empty tomb. Do you know what this place is? This is the temple that stands as an eternal witness.
(1) 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Paul said this: “That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Just as it was said, he died, and just as it was said, he rose again.
(2) 1 Corinthians 15:20
From now on, all of us will become the same. And so it is said, “the firstfruits.” We will all become the same in the end. At the end of the world, when the last day comes, all will rise. That is why 1 Corinthians 15:20 says, “he has become the firstfruits.” That statement carries tremendous meaning. Now that he has risen, Christ is keeping and protecting the church. Christ, with the very same blessing by which he can raise the dead like many bones, is present and at work even now.
3. The tomb is exactly three courtyards
What matters even more is that this place is exactly three courtyards.
1) The courtyard of the Gentiles
Later, this tomb where Jesus rose became a memorial, and many Gentiles came and passed by to see it.
2) The courtyard of prayer
People who find it hard to speak in front of others, people who are struggling greatly, come here and pray. The tomb itself is not an idol, but wouldn’t we do the same? They go and pray in front of it.
3) The courtyard of the children
As the ages go on, more and more, people come to learn many things there. This is the role that Joseph of Arimathea played. This is the secret we must uncover.
▣ Conclusion
Build a church that has never existed in history. Make your work an artwork that has never existed in history. Because God answers, produce even your studies as a work that has never existed in history.
How do you make it? No one else does it — go by way of nobody. No one else can do it. Go by way of nothing. And what happens? This tomb was completely turned into the temple. Make it happen that everything you have chosen turns into a history in which it becomes a temple that testifies of Christ. With this power, you overcame Rome. Isn’t that right? This power is tremendous. You overcame the Jews, and later conquered the world. Take firm hold of this covenant.
Immanuel Seoul Church, because of the blessing God intended to give, made an extremely fitting purchase of its temple building. Set up 237, Healing, Summit as a 24-hour system there. Then it will be done. Then it becomes a church that has never existed in history. You too, do the same. It should not be a church where people of many nations sit and simply attend a service and leave, but a 24-hour church where they can take a key and go rest and do as they please on their own. Do you understand what I mean? There is no such church yet. And it was Joseph of Arimathea who actually created this. Anyone can go there. The tomb where Jesus rose — let’s go and see it. Anyone can go. And so, this Joseph of Arimathea made a truly exquisite act of devotion. We must uncover this. We must apply it to our lives. No matter how powerless we may be, we can do it, because God gives.
The Immanuel churches of Ulsan and Changwon are all in the midst of building their temples. Do not rush. There is no need to rush. Do it at ease. Do it while enjoying and fulfilling God’s plan. What if you have nowhere to hold a service? Either borrow a school, or if not, hold it on bare ground. We, once, had no place for all-night prayer, long ago. We went up into the mountains to pray. That winter was very difficult. We rented a prayer center, but the churches nearby said, “Why do you rent it only to Dongsam First Church?” and obstructed us, so we had nowhere to go and went up into the mountains. There is no need to worry. Just take firm hold of the covenant.
What is our Immanuel Busan? Everyone, this is a church that the whole world is praying for. You must know this. And those who truly grasp the gospel and carry out the work of evangelism, when they come to Korea, always come here. Without fail, they come. Why? Because they know the history of evangelism here and its precious value. What we should be especially grateful for up to now is our building committee members — amid great hardship, honestly, I thought this place would never receive permission. It has been a long time. There has been much history that you may not know about. There was a longstanding, fierce dispute over this — whether “we must absolutely keep this as protected green space, no, that’s not right, yes it is.” At one point, policy decisions went as far as, “Let’s remove the road here entirely and designate this as absolute green space so that building is impossible altogether.” There was no way in — no legal way. This is what you have now created. What a tremendous answer you have received.
From now on, change your calling. Set your resolve: “From now on, I will become one of the people who raises a thousand bartizans.” Fix that as your prayer topic. From now on, let those who build be the ones who build. You must become the members who take the lead in raising a thousand bartizans. That is how it will be done. Until now, you were the members who resolved problems, but now you are the members who raise a thousand bartizans. This is certain. You must set your prayer topics precisely to receive an answer. Only then can you produce, by way of nobody and nothing, a 237, healing, summit church that has never existed until now.
There is nothing to worry about. It cannot fail. Those who fail, fail because the conditions for failure are already present in them. That’s right. Why did the European churches close their doors? They had no choice but to close. Because people were the masters there, and there was no 237, Healing, Summit, and no three courtyards. Then it has to fail, doesn’t it? Why does this happen? Why are American churches closing their doors? They are closing to the point of embarrassment. Simply put, God is the one closing them. Why? Because it is a church that is no longer needed. A church where people are the master is one Satan controls, and so it becomes unnecessary. It is a church that must disappear. Do not use humanism at all. A church where God is the master. A church where the Triune God is the master. Even if the pastor becomes the master, that is not right. It must be a church where the Triune God is the master. The head elder is not the master. A church where the Triune God is the master — that is what it must become. Only then can the three courtyards be created. God has no choice but to answer. That is what I am telling you to build.
This week, when I came and received the reports, I was quite surprised. People I had never even imagined were the ones raising bartizans, ten each. Oh — I hadn’t even thought of that. Looking again at the list, I thought, “Ah, these are people whose lives have a reason within the covenant.” As you know, I am not a person who is moved by amounts of money. I am speaking now of your history, of the history of these people, and of the history we must go toward together. Isn’t that right? So I thought, “Ah, now I must truly pray for these people twenty-four hours a day.” We must restore the church that has been lost. We must restore a church where the Triune God is the master. It must not be that people become the master. If that happens, you fall prey to the devil. In the world, in the nation, people must be the master. Isn’t that right? In the Republic of Korea, the citizens must be the masters. But the church must have as its master the God who saves the people of the Republic of Korea. You must keep this firmly in mind. Today, we take firm hold of this covenant of prayer. I will pray for you twenty-four hours a day. I will pray.
Prayer
We give thanks to God. Just as the tomb was transformed into the temple, let the places of death within us also be transformed into God’s temple. Let all the believers, today, take hold of a covenant that will remain forever. Let them stand on the path of becoming a truly 237, Healing, Summit church, doing what no one else can do, what nothing else can do. We pray this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.