Matthew 28:6 * April 8, 2007 * Easter
In the name of Jesus Christ, who lived and died and lives again, dear friends:
I suppose that you have heard the news by now. They found Jesus’ tomb. Actually they found his ossuary (a stone box kind of like a coffin). And inside the box they discovered human remains. I’m not making this up. I saw it on television. And because it was on television it must be true.
The program I am referring to is The Lost Tomb of Jesus, a ninety minute documentary that aired on
the Discovery Channel at the end of February.
Produced by James
Cameron, director of such
If proven, this claim would have devastating consequences
for the Christian faith. The apostle
Paul admitted as much when he told the Christians at
If Jesus’ dead body has been found, then what are we doing here today? Why don’t we go home and go back to bed? Why haven’t churches cancelled their Easter services? Why haven’t we put up a “for sale” sign on the corner of Harwood and Dewey Avenues?
There is no need for us to close our doors because there is strong evidence that contradicts this potentially faith destroying claim. Some experts are not convinced that the name chiseled on the box that allegedly contains Jesus’ remains even says “Jesus” at all.
Just because some of the other ossuaries that were found were inscribed with names like James and Mary (two different names for Mary) doesn’t necessarily mean that those were the graves of THE James or one of THE Marys from the Bible (one historian says that one out of every four women at the time was named Mary).
This is just some of the evidence that disputes the controversial claims made in The Lost Tomb of Jesus, but the most compelling evidence of all is eye witness testimony. We don’t have to rely on the so-called experts because we can listen to someone who was actually there.
The angel was at the tomb. The angel went inside Jesus’ tomb. And this is what he reported to the first people who came to the tomb on that first Easter: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6).
We don’t need to wonder if Jesus’ earthly remains are in
some recently discovered bone box. We
don’t have to be worried that Jesus’ body is lying in some not-yet-discovered
tomb outside of
THE TOMB IS EMPTY, OUR HEARTS ARE FULL
Our hearts are filled with joy today because Jesus has fulfilled all of God’s promises. The Lord allowed men of God like Moses and Micah and Isaiah to prophesy about the promised Messiah, to proclaim who he would be and what he would do.
And then he came.
From his lowly birth in
Our hearts are filled with awe today because Jesus lived a perfect life in our place. For thirty three-years, Jesus endured the attacks of Satan and the assaults of the world. And he did not sin, not even once, not a single white lie, not a single dark thought. Jesus resisted every temptation. Jesus passed every test. And because he did, our hearts are full.
Our hearts are filled with gratitude today because Jesus died in our place. He didn’t deserve to die, but he did. He died a painful, shameful death on the cross for us. Jesus willingly gave up his life because he knew that it was the only way to save our souls from eternal death. And because he did, our hearts are full.
Our hearts are filled with hope today because Jesus has risen from the dead. This is what Easter is all about. This is the reason we are here so early in the morning. The devil has been defeated. Death has lost its sting. Sin is forgiven. Jesus is alive! And because he is, our hearts are full.
Our hearts are filled with peace today because our living Lord is very much involved in our lives. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will be with us until the end of time. He makes all things in this world work out for our good. He protects us from harm and danger. He feeds us with Word and Sacrament. And because he continues to do all of these things, our hearts are full.
Our hearts are filled with anticipation today because Jesus’ resurrection guarantees that death is not our final destination. On the Last Day Jesus will come back in glory. On the Last Day Jesus will come to judge the world. He will raise up all the saints who have gone before us. He will take us to be with him and them in heaven. And because he will, our hearts are full.
This is the Easter gospel. This is the message that is imprinted on our hearts. This is the message that we cherish in our hearts. This message is so special, so wonderful that it spills out of our hearts and onto our lips:
Hallelujah! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Amen.