Sunday – Breaking the Legs: John 19:31-33
The Jews were not preparing for the regular weekly Sabbath, but for an additional day of rest, a “high day,” that occurred during the Passover week. Clearly Jesus was not crucified on a Friday; and since there were never two Sabbaths in a row, it is obvious He was crucified on a Wednesday. Because the High Day Sabbath was approaching, the decision was made to hasten their deaths by breaking their legs. When they got to Jesus, it was apparent He was already dead, so they didn’t break His legs, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Psalm 34:20.
Monday – Fulfilling the Prophecies: John 19:34-37
Besides the fulfillment of the prophecy in Psalm 34, the account that John recorded (which he personally witnessed) is also a fulfillment of Zechariah 12:10. No bone was broken in Jesus’ body, but it was pierced and out of His side flowed both water and blood. The water typified the ordinance of baptism and the blood symbolized the Lord’s Supper. Additionally, the water was a remembrance of the baptism of Jesus, which was the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the blood represented the conclusion of His earthly ministry, His death on the cross.
Tuesday – Joseph of Arimathea: Matthew 27:57-58; Mark 15:42-45; Luke 19:38
All four gospels record the actions of Joseph of Arimathea. He was a rich man who was a counselor and probably a member of the Sanhedrin. This can be surmised because Luke records that Joseph was not one of the Jewish leaders who participated in the false accusations and the death of Jesus. Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus and played an important role in crucifixion events. He went before Pilate to claim the body of Jesus. His actions fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that the Messiah would be laid in the grave of a rich man (Isaiah 53:9).
Wednesday – Into the Tomb: Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42
Jesus was buried in a new tomb. This did two things: (1) because no one else’s bones were within the tomb, it made it possible for Jesus’ body to not come in contact with the corruptible; (2) it kept any false claims that Jesus’ resurrection might have been attributed to the remains of a prophet, such as Elisha, having been in the tomb (2 Kings 13:21).
Thursday – The Women Followed: Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47; Luke 23:55-56
These holy women, filled with love and devotion for Jesus, cleaved to him in life, and in death were not divided. They came to the grave to see the end, and overwhelmed with sorrow and anguish, sat down to mourn. We must remember that God views human strength and human weakness very differently than does man. The wisest, noblest, and mightiest of men, in the hour of trial, can do nothing without the strength of God; and the simplest and weakest can do all things when strengthened by Christ.
Friday – Beseeching Pilate: Matthew 27:62-64
Christ’s enemies, even when it seems they have won out against Jesus Christ, are afraid of losing their advantage. They could not have forgotten the raising of Lazarus from the dead, which so confounded them. That they asked for a vigilant guard at the tomb for three days is proof that they had their own doubts, according to Jesus’ foretelling His own resurrection, that the Nazarene’s death was final.
Saturday – Securing the Tomb: Matthew 27:65-66
The Jews had a guard of Roman soldiers, who kept watch in the tower of Antonia, on the northwest of the temple. Pilate either referred to these, or to the “watch” that attended the crucifixion, the whole “band” that had been appointed for that. These soldiers had been probably granted to them during that time, and they were therefore still at the direction of the chief priests.