In a cemetery in Hanover, Germany, is a grave on which were placed huge slabs of granite and marble cemented together and fastened with heavy steel clasps. It belongs to a woman who did not believe in the resurrection of the dead. Yet strangely, she directed in her will that her grave be made so secure that if there were a resurrection, it could not reach her.
On the grave’s marker were inscribed these words: “This burial place must never be opened.” However, in passing of time, a seed, covered over by the slab stones, began to grow. Slowly it pushed its way through the soil and out from beneath them. As the tree’s trunk enlarged, the great slabs were gradually shifted so that the steel clasps were wrenched from their sockets. A tiny seed had become a tree that had pushed aside the stones.
The dynamic life force contained in that little seed is a faint reflection of the tremendous power of God’s creative word that someday will call to life the bodies of all who are in their graves. He will also bring back every person drowned in the sea, cremated, or destroyed in some other way. This is no problem to the One who made something out of nothing when He spoke the universe into existence. Unbelief cannot deter the resurrection. But faith in the risen Christ opens the door to blessings that His resurrection guarantees — a glorious new spiritual body and a home in heaven. In new bodies we will be reunited with saved loved ones to live with Jesus throughout all eternity.
In 1 Corinthians 15: 51-52 Paul wrote of the glorious resurrection of the redeemed in Christ, saying: “Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed – in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
In this life we are flesh and blood. We are sinners by nature and are therefore corruptible. But one day, through our faith in Jesus Christ our Savior, we will put off all corruption of our flesh and be clothed with incorruption which makes us fit for heaven where nothing corruptible shall ever enter. All will be joy and peace for we are told in Revelation 21:4 “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Sunday, April 3, is Easter, or Resurrection Sunday. Millions of people will gather in churches throughout the world to celebrate the greatest fact of human history – the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May this be a day of reflection and hope as we worship Him who gave His life for us that we may also share in His resurrection.
Jerry L. Dunn, Pastor of Oak Street Baptist Church, Kingman.
