Skip to main content

No Body by Martin Wiles

Situated in Red Square in the center of Moscow since shortly after his death in 1924, Vladimir Lenin’s corpse requires daily moisturizing and injection of preservatives under his clothes to safeguard its appearance. His sarcophagus is kept at 61 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity between 80 and 90 percent. The corpse is removed every eighteen months for a chemical bath.

Honoring those who serve faithfully is admirable, but viewing a lifeless body only reminds us a person is just that-lifeless. Had someone produced and preserved Jesus’ body, Christianity would have no message and doubtlessly not survived.

Many balk at the notion of Jesus returning to life, but while Jesus’ earthly ministry changed countless lives and his death portrayed unconditional love, only the resurrection validates his death’s purpose and provides Christianity’s central message.

But are there proofs of Jesus’ resurrection? A carefully guarded tomb is one. Jewish authorities didn’t question Jesus’ death but took precautions to keep his followers from stealing the body and concocting a story about his rumored return to life.

Then there’s the empty tomb. Some propose Jesus only swooned on the cross and was revived by the cool tomb, but even the soldiers sent to hasten his death by breaking his legs didn’t because he was already dead. 

The women coming to the tomb early Sunday morning to anoint Jesus’ body were greeted by an angel who confirmed Jesus’ resurrection: Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said (Matthew 28:5-6). Though afraid, they left with immense joy to share the news with others.

Eyewitness accounts also prove the resurrection. Two believers on their way to Emmaus encounter the resurrected Jesus. After realizing who he is, they too pass along news of their encounter to others. A carefully guarded tomb could not hold a resurrected Lord. As early believers spread the wonderful news to others we should too. There is no body.

Prayer: Lord, may the joy of Your resurrection give us reason to share the good news.

Comments

  1. Wendy @ ECTaSMay 29, 2012 at 3:43 PM

    QUOTE: "...A carefully guarded tomb could not hold a resurrected Lord. As early believers spread the wonderful news to others we should too..."

    AMEN!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Obeying God’s Schedule - Martin Wiles

Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” Matthew 9:22 NLT Schedules are made to be broken. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test, I’m a judger. I like structure and organization. While I can be spontaneous on occasion, it’s not my preferred way of life. I’m also time conscious. I’ve been wearing a watch since I was in first grade. Schedules are important, and I like to be ahead of time for whatever the agenda holds. Keeping and checking off a list gives me an adrenaline rush. In college, I completed all my projects ahead of time. Some of these traits were inborn, but being the firstborn child and living with parents who had similar traits made it certain I’d be a judger.  John’s gospel, especially, makes it evident that Jesus journeyed on a divine schedule. Many were told not to tell that he had healed them or cast out their demons simply because Jesus didn’t want his ministry to end p...
16 comments
Read more

Bears or Gators? Believer or Non-Believer? - Melissa Henderson

So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:21 NIV   “What do you mean there are gators in the neighborhood?”  Moving from central Virginia to South Carolina's Lowcountry brought new adventures. Learning about alligators, blue skinks, armadillos, and other creatures led to excitement but also a bit of worry. One of the most interesting parts of living in a new state was adapting to the weather and different animals. Would we prefer the bears of Virginia or the gators of the South? As my husband and I became accustomed to the humidity and scorching heat of the Deep South, we began referring to ourselves as “South Carolinians.” We laughed as we noticed folks wearing long-sleeved shirts and coats when temperatures reached sixty degrees in the Lowcountry. In Virginia, that temperature was...
10 comments
Read more

Connecting to the Creator - Martin Wiles

It was the Lord’s Day, and I was worshiping in the Spirit. Revelation 1:10 NLT I’ve done it all my life—whether I wanted to or not. Going to church was never an option. Dad was a preacher, and PK’s went to church … often. Our particular church tradition held services three times weekly, in addition to special activities on other days. I had to attend each one. After moving out, I had the option of going, but still went. When my parents made me go, I sometimes didn’t want to. But when I could stay home, I rarely did. Worship is what the apostle John did on the Lord’s Day. As he did, God spoke to him and told him to write things that would happen in the future. Things God’s people needed to hear and respond to. Beyond everything else, worship concerns giving God the glory and praise He deserves. He is our creator and deliverer, and we should celebrate that through worship. But worship involves us also. We have needs that require attention and decisions that deman...
1 comment
Read more