One Tomb: Barely Used

Can I interest you in a barely used tomb?

The tomb is in a lovely location. Of course, you know what they say about “location, location, location.” And, while the tomb was used once, it wasn't used long. It's in great shape.

What do I mean, wasn't used long?

Without going into all the details let me simply say that the former owner of the tomb, a respectable leader in the community, once made it available for a dearly departed friend of his, a friend he greatly admired, a friend who, shall we say, died suddenly. Then, unexpectedly ... well, let's simply say the third day after he was dead and buried the tomb became available again.

No, no, there's nothing wrong with the tomb. It is made well. Hewn out of solid rock, in fact. No expense was spared in building this tomb.

And, given the kind of world we live in, you should know this tomb can be made extremely secure. I can’t give you all the details but it involves a very, very large stone. You can place the remains of your loved one or plan to use the tomb yourself when the time comes-many years from now, we are sure-with the assurance that "Rest In Peace" will be a reality.

What was that? Has such a security system ever failed?

No, never. Well, almost never. The truth is, it happened once but it hasn't happened again.

When and where did it happen?

Funny you should ask that question. It just so happens-no, I don't want to be accused of spreading rumors. Besides, not long after it supposedly happened the Emperor Claudius decreed that anyone caught vandalizing a tomb in this area would be executed. [Note: A copy of the decree, found in Nazareth in 1930, is in Murray J. Harris's Three Crucial Questions About Jesus, p. 57.]

What was that? Well, perhaps you're right, sometimes where there's smoke, there's fire. You've asked a fair question: Why would the Emperor make such a law if something hadn't happened? Still, I don't know if I'd say it was like locking the barn door after the horse was gone.

Look, I don't want to sound prejudiced. I sell plots to anyone. I believe you can believe whatever you want to believe. But you and I both know that certain people are getting a lot of mileage out of the fact that their leader-who had been executed by the Romans-supposedly appeared to some of them on the third day after he was dead and buried.

Yes, yes, I suppose it is coincidental this tomb became available on the third day after it was first occupied. But we don't want to dwell on the past, do we?

You think this was the same tomb! Do you think I would try to keep something like that from you?

Oh, you do. Okay, I give up. Let me tell the story, as I understand it. No doubt most of you have heard about Jesus of Nazareth. If you haven't, you should know that all the most reliable records report him to have been a remarkable man. Those who knew him best say he spent his entire life doing good for others. They also report he said some amazing things about himself-don't be too shocked but he claimed to be God in the flesh.

Anyway it wasn't long before he attracted the attention of the religious authorities. They didn't like him much but seem to have thought the people would eventually grow tired of him. That didn't happen.

So, after about three years of ministry Jesus himself began to hint that the conflict would come to a head the next time he visited Jerusalem. Sure enough, that year at Passover Jesus was arrested, tried, convicted, and crucified all in a single day.

Some of you, I'm sure, have seen crucifixions. You know the Romans are experts at killing people in that brutal way. It was a sad way for a life to end, even if he was confused about who he was.

At this point a man named Joseph, from Arimathea, stepped forward to claim the body. I might as well tell you, Joseph was the owner of this tomb. He had built it for himself but admired Jesus so much he had his body placed in it.

The story takes some strange turns from this point. For example, the religious leaders asked Pilate for a contingent of guards to watch the tomb.

It seems they had heard rumors about claims Jesus had made, claims about coming back to life. The priests figured the followers of Jesus might take the body and try to convince people that Jesus had kept his word.

Where had his followers gone?  Good question.

Most of Jesus' closest followers had gone into hiding, afraid what had happened to Jesus would happen to them. Still, the guards took up their post.

Everything was quiet until the morning of the third day, the first day of the week. That morning a handful of women came to the tomb planning to anoint Jesus with oils. They found the tomb empty.

That's right, empty.

What had happened to the guards?  They weren't there.

After a while some rumors began to circulate. The rumors claimed the guards had fallen asleep and Jesus's disciples had stolen the body.

Do I believe that? Why shouldn't I? It makes sense, doesn't it? After all, as good citizens, shouldn't we believe the authorities on matters like this? Excuse me, what did you say?

Yes, I do know the punishment for failing asleep while on duty is death. No, I don't know why these guards were never punished. And, you are right, the followers of Jesus were hiding and it does seem unlikely they would have been brave enough to try to take the body from tomb while the guards were there.

What? That's a good question, too. I suppose I don't know how the guards knew the disciples stole the body if they were asleep.

Look, can I be honest with you? Deep down inside I've got some doubts about this whole "the disciples stole the body" scenario. I don't claim to know how Jesus's body got out of the tomb; I just know if it hadn't been empty, what began happening next would have ended pretty quickly. The priests would have stopped it by giving tours of the tomb, the tomb with Jesus's body still in it.

You see, once the empty tomb was found, things started happening pretty fast. At least Jesus' followers are claiming they did.

Let me ask, how many of you have ever heard these "Jesus-followers" talk? Then you know they claim Jesus-a living Jesus—began appearing to various people in various places.

Yes, I have heard their claim that he first appeared to some of the women. Imagine that. A woman can't even testify in court and these people want us to believe Jesus first appeared to women.2 Believe me, if I were making up a story like this, I certainly wouldn't have women as the first people claiming to have seen him. [Note: Several books discuss the significance of the early appearances to women, including those by Stein, Harris, and Strobel.]

What was that? Could they be telling it that way because that's what really happened, that they weren't making up the story?

Well, what if it was just wishful thinking? What if they were all seeing things? After all, thirsty men lost in the desert sometimes believe they see pools of water in the distance but there is nothing there but sand.

What did you hear? Ah, well, I suppose if Jesus's followers really didn't expect him to come back to life, they probably wouldn't have had such visions, certainly hundreds of them wouldn't have had such visions. And, you are right visions wouldn't explain the tomb being empty.

By the way, did you say hundreds claim to have seen the Risen Jesus?

Really. I only knew about his closest followers having seen him while they were in hiding.

Well, yes that's also an interesting point, I suppose. Something must have happened to change them from cowards to talking so courageously about the risen Jesus. Still, you know those gullible Galileans. They will believe anything.

What do you mean they weren't so gullible? Who was this Thomas?

Oh, one of Jesus's followers. This Thomas said he wouldn't believe unless he saw the wounds from the crucifixion. Then, if I understand you correctly, Jesus appeared to him and showed him the wounds. That is interesting but I never intended us to spend so much time on this issue. I don’t want all this talk to make you afraid to consider this fine barely used tomb.

I mean if you're concerned the followers of Jesus will try to make this tomb some kind of shrine, don't be. Saul Of Tarsus, a fine young scholar working for our religious leaders, has been commissioned to seek out and arrest any believers in Christ. He's doing such a great job that you won't have anything to worry about.

I’m sorry, what did you say? You're kidding, right? Paul has become a believer in Jesus and even-claims to have seen the Risen Jesus? Oh, my.

Well, look, that's interesting and I suppose this all deserves some more attention. But the shadow on the sundial is moving along and right now this salesman wants to get back to where we started, back to this barely used tomb.

What was that? I suppose you're right: Quite a lot started with this barely used tomb, this empty tomb.

*********

If you will allow me to leave aside the persona of that first century real-estate huckster, I'd like to say a few words on behalf of the Easter Faith.

The Apostle John (John 20:1-9) hints that the empty tomb may have ignited a spark in his heart that eventually became a blazing Easter faith. Keep that in mind as you think about this imaginary encounter. If you've ever wanted to give a salesman a hard time, maybe you enjoyed this.

Our salesman discovered what has been foundational for centuries of arguments supporting the Christian claim that Jesus rose on the first Easter morning. Our imaginary salesman was on the verge of discovering that Christ’s tomb being empty three days after his crucifixion is at least as well attested as any other event in ancient history and may be better attested than some.

If we come to the New Testament with an open-mind, refusing to unfairly discount its record simply because it challenges us to think beyond our narrow world of experience, we are left with the three-fold evidences which must somehow be explained:

·       We must somehow explain that-empty tomb,

·       We must somehow explain the claims of so many people to have seen the Risen Jesus,

·       We must somehow explain the change in the disciples, explain how they went from hiding behind closed doors to boldly proclaiming the gospel. (For that matter, we must explain how Saul the persecutor of the church became Paul the  tireless missionary.)

These matters do deserve more attention. This Easter, if you've never placed your faith in the Risen Lord, take the time to consider his claims. You may only think you know him.

If you take the time to look at what the Gospels tell us about him, you’ll see a life that was remarkable in every way.  You’ll see a life lived without sin, lived in absolute obedience to God.  You’ll realize that if he had not defeated death, it would have been the greatest injustice in the history of humankind.

If you take the time to look closely at what the New Testament says about Jesus Christ, you'll discover that his resurrection is God's confirmation ....

--that Jesus was who he claimed to be, the Son of God and Savior,

--that He can offer you true forgiveness for your sins,

--that those who trust him can face life and death with the assurance of sharing his victory.

If you take the time to look at the gospel of hope and joy, the message preached by first Christians, trace it back to its source, you'll find a barely used tomb.



[For another treatment of this passage, see "An Easter Way of Seeing" from April 2011.]