After Easter sale

FOR SALE:

One grave – slightly used – just like new.

Here is an advertisement that you will probably never see in this newspaper or hear on our local radio station. That’s because graves and tombs are not normally used for just a brief amount of time.

However, this advertisement could have appeared in the “Jerusalem Sun-Telegraph” two thousand years ago. The crucified body of the Lord Jesus Christ had been buried in a tomb just outside of Jerusalem, but his body was there for only three days. And even though a rumor had been started which accused Jesus’ disciples of stealing his body, the truth was that he had risen from the dead. He was alive. The devil could not defeat him. Death could not destroy him. The grave could not hold him. His tomb was empty. It was only slightly used.

That fact gives us hope and joy today as we are faced with the frailties and uncertainties of life. After celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, we can also look forward to the day when our own graves will be empty. The Bible proclaims that those who have truly received Christ as their savior will one day rise from the dead, just like he did. The devil will not defeat us. Death will not destroy us. Our graves will not be able to hold us. Our tombs will be empty. We will be very much alive again with our risen Lord. His resurrection is the proof that our own graves will once again be available for sale.

“Jesus said… ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies…’” – John 11:25

“If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his spirit, who lives in you.” – Romans 8:11

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.” – 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Pastor Doug Birky

Evangelical Free Church of Sidney