And already coming to the evening, since it was the preparation which is before the sabbath, Joseph from Arimathea, a respectable counselor, who himself was anticipating the kingdom of God, coming with daring, entered into Pilate and requests the body of Jesus. Now Pilate marvels if He is dead already, and calling the centurion to him, he inquires of him if He died long ago. And knowing it from the centurion, he presents the corpse to Joseph. And, buying a linen wrapper, and taking Him down, he wraps Him in the linen wrapper, and places Him in a tomb which was quarried out of rock. And he rolls a large stone on to the door of the tomb.
Mark 15: 42-46, Concordant New Testament
It is a major part of the history of Jesus, and a main part of the celebration of His life. That Jesus was slain on a cross and buried in a tomb which could not hold Him. For some time I longed that we, as believers, had the remains of that tomb which to celebrate the history of the resurrection of Jesus. Some kind of physical connection to the events of those times. However, this is not the case. What we do have is the word of the gospel of the Lord and writings of history which document the final days of the Christ. Each Easter Sunday, believers across the world gather to remember these events. This is more than a story, it is a part of our own history as well. For had Jesus not perished on that Roman cross, our redemption would not have been complete. Sure, God could have chosen another time to rescue His children from themselves, but this was the moment He had chosen. This was the moment His one and only Son paid the price for our deeds. For Jesus became sin that we would be free of its burden {2 Corinthians 5:21}. For our sakes, Jesus was killed and buried in a tomb of stone. If His story had ended there, I might consider the value of having a physical memorial to recall these events. However, a Roman cross and a stone tomb could not hold Him. Yes, the flesh of Jesus had remained after His death and up until the point of His resurrection. After His resurrection, all that remained were the linens which had been used in His burial. Yet Jesus remains alive. Indeed, the cross was not the finish line, but the beginning for Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul assures us of this reality of Jesus when he introduces us to the truth of Christ Jesus in us {Galatians 2:20}. So, what need have we for a memorial dedicated to the living?
Having perceived that Christ, being roused from among the dead, is no longer dying. Death is lording it over Him no longer.
Romans 6: 9, Concordant New Testament
I think of the idea that other believers keep in their hearts that they somehow need a physical memorial to Jesus. As if His life and experiences are a thing of the past and not of the present. Think of each and every memorial service you have ever attended and you will more than likely recall a few somber memories. Maybe it's just me, but I don't want to associate Jesus with black limousines and mourners in black veils. I want to see Jesus how He is, alive and in me. If you think about it, memorials are by their very nature a somber experience. In Arlington, Virginia, our nation memorializes the thousands of young men and women who have given their lives in defense of this country. Whenever a new member is added it is a somber experience. The horse drawn caisson slowly makes its way to what will be the final resting place of the fallen. In one last remembrance, a lone bugle sings out the time-honored tradition of military taps. The fallen are then laid to rest in their garden of stone. If this were truly the end, I could accept it. But if we give heed to the words of Paul, this is far from the end of our being. For just as death could not hold Jesus, it cannot hold us either. Through the works of Christ Jesus, we are no longer defined by the physical life we have lived. What good are memorials to one who is not dead? Yet as we gather again in the gardens of stone, we remember those who have gone before us. In our hearts...we await our reunion once again.
With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, who loves me, and gives Himself up for me.
Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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