It took me a long time to figure out what it was about that gospel text just read that bothered me. I read and re-read the last two chapters in Luke until it finally hit me.

I want to lead you to that same revelation, so let's do a review of the events in Jesus' life, or should I say death.

Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried. Let us begin there. And there can be no mistake about that fact. The Roman garrison whose business it was to do such things was very efficient. They knew when a person was dead.

Those who had been followers of this Jesus for three years also knew he was dead. They had been around, watching in anguish as their gentle leader said but few words from his lonely pedestal-cross. They watched as the sagging body was finally taken down and their friend carried a…