[The following devotional is a part of our 2015 Easter Season Devotional Book “Passion Road.” We will be posting a devotional each day on this blog between February 18 – April 5, 2014.]
A Tale of Two Tombs by Mark Robinson
Read: John 20:1-10
In the heart of Moscow’s Red Square looms a large building with an even larger line to get inside. People line up for hours on selected viewing days to enter the tomb of the fallen Communist leader and revolutionary Vladimir Lenin. Hard to believe that people would wait in line for the chance to enter into an above ground grave, and gaze at the very dead body of a very dubious historical figure. Hard to imagine . . .except for the fact that in the summer of 1995, I was one of those in line. And I got a good long look at Lenin’s Tomb.
What I saw surprised me — a lifeless decaying man, entombed in glass and preservatives. That is what I waited in line to see?!? Now, as I reflect back on this event twenty years later, I am amazed, not by the line, but by the contrast. The contrast with another tomb of a famous historical figure. But this tomb is not from the twentieth century, but from the first. This tomb is not in Moscow, it is in Jerusalem. This tomb is not built out of marble and glass, but out of rock and clay. This tomb is not Vladimir Lenin’s, but Jesus Christ’s.
People go to Lenin’s tomb to remember the death of the Romanov dynasty, and the birth of the U.S.S.R. People go to Christ’s tomb to remember the death of sin’s necessary reign, and the birth of resurrection life. People go to Lenin’s tomb to pay homage to a man who set the stage for the conquering of nations, and the creation of the Eastern Bloc. People go to Christ’s tomb to pay homage to the man who conquered the god of this age, and created the Body of Christ. People go to Lenin’s tomb, and see that it is occupied with a lifeless dictator. People go to Christ’s tomb, and see that it is empty with life-giving power.
At the heart of Christianity lies an empty tomb that is able to make our hearts full with the knowledge of God, and a life that is in fellowship with Him. The Apostle Paul writes, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” (1 Corinthians 15:14) This Easter, walk up to the empty tomb . . . there is no need to wait in line. Christ has prepared the Way. Take a good long gaze inside. What you do NOT see will give you life.
Question:
- At Easter, we celebrate the EMPTY TOMB! What does the Empty Tomb tell you about Jesus Christ?
- How does this message encourage you today?
Prayer:
- Ask God to work in an area of your life were you currently feel helpless. He can do more than we ask or think! The God who can raise Jesus from the dead, wants to work in your life as well.