“and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre.”

After a considerable search of a graveyard in Geneva Switzerland, C.E. MacCartney tells how he finally found the grave of John Calvin. It was covered over with grass and the tombstone, less than a foot high, had only the initials J. C. Mr. MacCartney looked around from the site and across the lake he saw a magnificent monument to the Duke of Brunswick. Who knows the Duke of Brunswick, yet what Christian does not know the name of John Calvin? Regardless of how great the structures built for those in this world it will pass away, but the people of God are eternal.

To many the tomb is the end. They see it as a final resting place and oblivion. That is not how the Bible views the tomb. It looks at death as a door into eternity. This door brings hope to believers. The reason is because of a specific tomb, the tomb of our Lord Jesus Christ. His was unique in many ways. Let me share some views of the tomb of Christ.

The people who gathered at the cross to witness Jesus’ execution beheld the gruesome sight and then returned to their homes. Except for a handful of friends and disciples the spectacle was over. The enemies of Christ had hurled their insults, mocked Jesus and taunted Him but now he was dead they could do no more. The world looks of Jesus as just another martyr among the thousands slain on Roman crosses. They see little significance to his death and no benefit by it. The natural man does not understand the things of God they are foolishness to them. Their response to the death of Christ, “What is all the fuss about anyway?” Then there is

When Jesus spoke this parable of the vineyard, the Jews recognized he was referring to them. What they didn’t realize is their actions were the result of Satan’s manipulation. Their unbelief and rebellion opened the door for Satan to use them for his own purpose. His plan was to get rid of Jesus by causing God’s chosen people to kill the One God had sent for their deliverance. It is possible that Satan reasoned with Jesus out of the way he would be more effective in deluding God’s creation. Perhaps he thought, with Christ dead and buried in a tomb, “How could God possibly fulfill His promises?” Satan looked at the tomb of Christ as at the least a delay and maybe even an end to God’s plan to redeem His chosen nation. Another view of the tomb or death of Christ is

Two disciples were walking the road to Emmaus when Jesus drew near and asked what they were discussing. They were kept from recognizing Him. They told of how One, named Jesus Christ, had claimed to be the Messiah. He talked about establishing the kingdom for the Jews in Jerusalem, but was killed by the Romans. His body had been in the grave for the last three days, yet now some women had reported His tomb was empty and they wondered what it all meant. Can you sense the confusion, sorrow and disappointment in these words? They had embraced the promises of the Kingdom, but how could it be true now? What was to become of them? If they could kill the One who claimed to be Christ what chance did they have? They were about to find out. Finally, there is

God’s plan was never in doubt. He determined before time began to offer His Son as the one sacrifice that would take away sin. Man needs a Savior. “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom 3:23) Christ did not die as a martyr but as a sacrifice. His perfect sinless life was freely given for us to take away our sin. All who place their trust in His finished work are declared by God to have their sins forgiven. The word ‘justification’ means a divine declaration of righteousness. God Himself declares we are right with Him when we commit our lives to Jesus. It was an opened tomb and a resurrected living Savior that guarantees the promises of God, restores the hope of believers, and overcomes the world and Satan. Thank God for Calvary.

It really happened, a letter came from Health and Human Services to a resident of, South Carolina: "Your food stamps will be stopped, effective March 1992, because we received notice that you passed away. You may reapply if your circumstances change." Death is a finality to the things of this world, but for believers a glorious entrance into that which is to come. No food stamps will be needed. God bless.