The next day, on the Sabbath, the leading priests and Pharisees went to see Pilate. They told him, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver once said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise from the dead.’ So we request that you seal the tomb until the third day. This will prevent his disciples from coming and stealing his body and then telling everyone he was raised from the dead! If that happens, we’ll be worse off than we were at first.” Pilate replied, “Take guards and secure it the best you can.” So they sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it. [Matthew 27:62-65 (NLT)]
Easter means you can put the truth in a grave, but you can’t keep it there. [Anne Lamott]
Several years ago, an entertainment network did a story on the highlights of Charlotte, North Carolina. Since the Billy Graham Library was considered a point of interest, it was visited by the show’s co-host Kristy Villa and her film crew. Commenting on the many crosses she saw throughout the property, Villa asked, “I see all the crosses, but where is Jesus?” Her guide simply replied, “He’s in Heaven,” adding, ”He is also present in the lives of those who believe in Him and follow Him as their personal Lord and Savior.” Villa exclaimed, “Oh, that’s right! Some worship a crucifix, but Christians worship a risen Christ.” Indeed, Christ’s story doesn’t end with a dead man hanging on a cross. Nevertheless, rather than an empty cross, our emphasis should be on His empty tomb!
Confucius, founder of Confucianism, was buried in his hometown of Qufu in China and the body of Muhammad, founder of Islam, can be found in the Mosque of the Prophet in the Saudi Arabian city of Medina. Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, was cremated following his death. His cremains were divided into eight portions, taken throughout Central Asia, China, and Japan, and placed in different stupas (dome-shaped shrines). Today, the Buddha’s cremains (including his teeth and a finger bone) can be found in shrines throughout Asia. Bahá’u’lláh, founder of Bahá’í faith, was buried near his home in Bahji, Israel, and the remains of the Báb, a central figure in Bahá’í and founder of Bábisma, was interred at the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel. After his death, Joseph Smith, founder of the Morman church (LDS), was buried in the family cemetery in Nauvoo, Illinois. When Cyrus Teed, founder of Koreshanity, failed to resurrect, his decomposing body was buried on Estero Island; two years later, a hurricane washed his tomb out to sea. All of these men—people who claimed to know the truth revealed by God—are dead but their remains are still here.
Let us never forget that Jesus’ story didn’t end with His crucifixion! The cross couldn’t stop Jesus and the tomb couldn’t contain Him. Pilate’s best efforts to secure the tomb were worthless. A Roman seal, large boulder, and a sixteen-man Roman guard were not enough to keep Jesus shut in that tomb! Both cross and tomb are empty and His body’s remains are nowhere to be found! With His death and resurrection, Christ triumphed over both sin and death. Alleluia!
I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world—and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible. [Charles Colson]
Devotions of the Heart 