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日期﹕ 4/8/2007

經文﹕ 《 約翰福音 》 20 ﹕ 1-18

題目﹕ 墳墓中的骸骨?

主旨﹕ 因為墳墓是空的 , 所以我們確信耶穌能夠成就一切他所應許我們的 .

 

引言﹕

   三星期前 , 媒體大肆渲染在傳說中耶穌所埋葬的一座古墓 發現了骸骨。象《 達文西密碼》,《 猶大福音 》一樣,這條新聞同樣使人們發問﹕耶穌是誰?耶穌和基督教再一次被人審判。假若這些骨頭是耶穌的遺骨哪? 墳墓中的骸骨其實是關於耶穌復活的爭論。很有趣的是,這件事剛好發生在教會慶祝復活節前夕。所以問題是,如果這些骨頭是屬于耶穌的,那麼對基督教將產生什么樣的影響?或者它對我們基督徒的信心、也就是對你在耶穌裡的信心將會產生什么樣的影響?

   對此人們有許多不同的反應。一些人說﹕ 不,那不可能是耶穌的骨頭。另外一些人說﹕ 如果是耶穌的骸骨,那麼我會 重新考慮我在耶穌 的信心。還會有 一些人說﹕ 沒關係,無論結果如何都不影響他們基督徒的信心。對于他們來說,基督徒的信心不是建立在歷史事件上面,而是建立在第一世紀一些人的思想集合上面。換句話來說,耶穌復活與否對于他們有關基督教的理解都沒有關係。因此我在這里要問﹕ 如果這些骨頭是屬于耶穌的,對你有關係嗎?耶穌復活與否,對你有關係嗎?

   在我們剛才讀過的經文 約翰,也就是約翰福音的作者,看來對于耶穌復活這件是非常嚴肅。在四卷福音書 ,約翰對于耶穌死在十字架上后第三天早晨所發生的事有著最為詳盡的記載,他對于墓穴的描述相當詳盡。在約翰福音第二十章 有好幾個人物,但我們只把重點放在彼得、約翰、和瑪利亞上面。我們要來看一看他們那天早晨所經歷的事實和對于我們今天的意義。

I •  空墳墓指向耶穌升天的事實 .

約翰告訴我們說, 那天早晨, 馬利亞來到耶穌被埋的地方。墳墓其實是一個墓穴,墓門被一塊大石頭堵著。從其它福音書里,我們知道一些婦女和馬利亞一起來到墓地,但是在這里,重點是馬利亞。她看見巨石從墳墓前面挪開了,她直接的反應是,有人偷走了耶穌的身體。這怎麼可能哪?不,這不可能。她就跑來見彼得和另外一個門徒,也就是耶穌所愛的那個門徒。這另外一個門徒,就是 約翰自己。 彼得和 約翰顯然是使徒 的頭領。 馬利亞告訴彼得和 約翰說有人 挪了或偷了 耶穌的身體。

   聽到這里, 彼得和 約翰就 往墳墓那裡走,然後跑向墓穴。 約翰先到,就 低頭往裡看,就見包裹耶穌的細麻布還放在那裡,但他沒有進去。 西門彼得隨後也到了,進墳墓裡去,就看見細麻布還放在那裡,還有用來支撐下巴的裹頭巾,是另在一處捲著。後來 約翰 也進去,也看見了。這對他們來說到底發生了什么哪?看來耶穌的身體不像是被人偷了,如果是這樣,細麻布也應當被帶走。如果盜墓人只是偷身體,那麼細麻布應當會散落一地,另外用來殯葬的香料也會灑落得到處都是。然而墓穴內部不但沒有雜亂無章,而是井然有序。 約翰這時肯定會想起耶穌讓 拉撒路復活那一幕﹕ 拉撒路從墓穴 出來了,手腳裹著布,臉上包著手巾。但是在這裡,耶穌的身體不見了,可是細麻布和裹頭巾被整整齊齊地放在那里。 約翰的結論是 耶穌還活著 。他看到空墳墓, 細麻布,他就信了耶穌已經復活。 空墳墓指向耶穌升天的事實。

我們探索一下這對 約翰有什么意義,他當時心中想到的是什么。他想到耶穌的教導。起初,他看到聖靈降臨在耶穌身上。耶穌聲稱他 能拆毀神的殿,三日內又建造起來。耶穌應許說﹕ 人們通過重生可以進入神的國,他是活水,是生命的糧。他是好牧人,他為他的羊舍命。他是道路、真理、和生命,沒有人可以不通過他到父那里去。他是復活的主。還有他在在第十四到十六章中給門徒的所有應許。他不會把他們單獨撇下, 而是會送保 惠 師來。保 惠 師,也就是聖靈,會幫助他們記著或者理解耶穌的教導。他們不要懼怕世上的苦難,因為他已經征服了世界。他會在苦難中賜予他們平安。當 約翰、使徒們、和他們周圍的人聽到這些論述或者應許之後,他們會有疑惑,這些應許可能嗎?他們真的會發生嗎?當他們傾聽耶穌教導的時候,他們其實在是在審判耶穌,他會實現他的應許嗎?

在“追求幸福”這部電影中, 克里斯這位父親向他兒子說他也許會在賣出一批產品之後帶他去看足球賽。在路上,兒子問道﹕“我們回去看球賽嗎?” 克里斯回答說﹕“也許吧。”當他們的談話繼續下去的時候,父親說﹕“我們大概會去看球賽吧。”他然後向兒子解釋也許和大概之間的區別。當兒子聽到父親的這些話,和父親的經濟 境之後,兒子得出的結論是他們不會去看球賽了。當克里斯發現他的顧客也去看球賽並邀請他和兒子一同前往時,不可能發生的事變成了現實。

耶穌所有這些應許都可能實現嗎?許多人認為不可能。假如墳墓不是空的,耶穌死了,仍躺在墳墓里,身體腐朽了,許多年之後他的遺骨被人發現,那麼他所說的一切便會成為虛空。但是事實並非如此。對于 約翰來說,當他看到空墳墓,整整齊齊放著的細麻布和裹頭布,他的結論是耶穌已經復活了, 還活著 。雖然他不明白舊約聖經對彌賽亞復活的教導 , 但因眼前所看見的 , 他就相信耶穌復活了 . 這意味著,耶穌一切有關他自己的教導和應許,現在不但是可能的,而且已成為現實。他是好牧人 , 的確會給我們真正的生命、安慰、平安,也從不回撇下我們。怪不得路易士( C.S. Lewis ) 會說﹕“耶穌要麼是人類歷史上最大的騙子,要麼他就是神的兒子,他就是神。”他的墳墓是否是空的 , 的確是一個至關重要的問題。那個古墓里的骸骨是否是耶穌的確是對我們來說很重要。你瞧,如果墳墓不是空的,那麼耶穌的確是人類歷史上最大的騙子。然而,如果墳墓是像 約翰和彼得所看到的那樣,是空的, 那麼耶穌就是從死裡復活,他還活著,他的確就是他所說的那樣,他是神的兒子,他就是神。

但故事並沒有在此停止, 約翰現在開始把焦點聚集到瑪利亞身上。

II •  空墳墓賦予耶穌和他的信徒之間一種新的關係 .   

我們先前讀到 馬利亞首先來到墳墓。看到墓門的大石被推到一邊,她的直接反應是,有人偷了耶穌的身體。 彼得和約翰離開之後,她仍停留在那里,在第十一到第十五節,“哭泣”這個詞出現四此。她在墓穴外面哭泣;當她進入墓穴之後,兩個天使問她為什麼哭泣;之後耶穌問她﹕你她為什麼在哭泣?天使和耶穌的問話是一種安慰,但也是一種輕微的責備﹕你為什麼哭泣?你難道不知道現在不是哭的時候,而是應當慶祝的時刻嗎 ? 但是 馬利亞已得出結論說耶穌的身體已被偷掉或拿走,她從耶穌身體被偷的悲傷中而轉不過彎來。即使耶穌站在她面前,於她談話,她還是不知道他是誰。就象瑪利亞腦中有一個燈泡一樣,這盞燈泡現在還沒有亮起來。

然後耶穌用 阿拉姆語向她說﹕“馬利亞。”這是很親切的呼喚。馬利亞立即認出耶穌並對 他 說 ﹕“夫子。”只有當耶穌呼喚她並用她的暱名來蠋摸她的心時, 瑪利亞腦中的哪盞燈泡才亮起來。

我們有時不也有同樣的經歷嗎?你很費力的去了解化學或物理中的一些概念,不管你讀了多少遍,就是弄不清楚。然而別人稍微一指點,你腦中的哪盞燈泡突然亮起來,你便豁然開朗。

我讀到有些人在很久以前就認為耶穌是一位很偉大的猶太老師。他們那樣說是因為他們的成長背景,在共產國家受教育,作為共產黨員,我們不會認為耶穌是一位比大師還要偉大的人物。他不可能是神,因為世界上本來就沒有神。不論多少人和他們討論神和耶穌,他們還是寸土不讓。然而閑得無聊時,他們開始讀聖經並且參加教會的活動。突然有一天他在讀聖經的時候,經文躍出紙面,腦中的哪盞燈泡突然亮起來了。在他人生中的第一次,他看到耶穌就是神的兒子,他就是神。這就是瑪利亞當時所經歷的,她意識到耶穌仍然活著。下面哪?

約翰沒有記載,但好象瑪利亞要觸摸耶穌,耶穌對她說﹕“ 不要摸我 .因 我還沒有升上去見我的父 .你往我弟兄那裡去 、告訴他們說 、我要升上去 、見 我 的父 、也是你們的父 .見我的神 、也是你們的神 。”瑪利亞要去接觸耶穌,要去恢復以前和耶穌的關係。但耶穌告訴她,不,瑪利亞,不要。是的,我是活著,但我於你和門徒之間的關係將時一種嶄新的關係,怎樣解釋哪?

在第二十章后半部,耶穌給他 們 吹了 一 口 氣 、讓你 們 受 聖 靈 。這讓我們聯想到神吹了 一 口 氣給亞當,給了他生命。這就是耶穌向門徒們所做的事。在向後,在五旬節時,他以更明顯、更強烈的方式把他的靈賜給門徒。但在約翰福 音裡,耶穌是在告訴瑪利亞,從現在開始,他將以不同的方式與他們同在。就在幾天前 , 如果門徒要與耶穌同在的話 , 他們必需與祂一起 , 祂去那裡 , 他們也要去那裡 . 但現在卻不一樣了 . 他將通過他的聖靈,在他們的生命中同在。無論他們去那裡 , 他都與他們同在 . 他在也不離開他們,他永遠在那裡,安慰、引導,賜他們所須要的力量。

同時,耶穌這時稱呼他的門徒為兄弟(或姐妹)。以前他稱他們為朋友,現在他把他們的關係推向更高一層,他們現在是他的兄弟或姐妹。他說他在升上去見 “我的父 、 也是你們的父。”我們和耶穌都是神的子女 , 但有不同之處 . 我們是被領養的。

我以前的牧師有一子一女 . 在孩子長大過程 , 他又領養了兩個孩子 . 雖然他們出身於另一個家 , 膚色也不一樣 , 但他卻將他們當著親身孩子一樣的愛護 . 我們以前因著罪是在神家之外 . 但因耶穌基督在十字架上的代死 , 透過我們的信心 , 我們不單被神稱為義 , 也被祂收入祂的家 , 成為祂的兒女 . 我們是祂所領養的 . 我們和耶穌在同一個大家庭裡,我們可以稱這位創造主為父。

在三個多星期前 , 在一個星期天下午的洗禮 , 一位剛信主的姊妹很高興 , 不停地說 , 我終於回到神的家 , 我終於回家了 . 我們是一家人 , 都是弟兄姊妹 . 這空的墳墓帶來了一個新的關係 .

III •  空墳墓是我們信心的基礎 .

   當瑪利亞見到門徒,她一開始就說﹕“我已經看見了主。”你瞧,約翰看到空墳墓就相信耶穌已從死里復活;瑪利亞看到耶穌復活的身體就信了;以後,多瑪親眼看到復活的耶穌也信了。這就是約翰在第三十一節所指的﹕“但記這些事 、 要叫你們信耶穌是基督 、是神的兒子 .並且叫你們信了他 、就可以因他的名得生命 。”

   在約翰福音裡,“信”這個動詞約翰一共用了一百次。你看,對于約翰來說,從耶穌第一天的事奉開始,他就在受審判。他的審判不是指在受難周在羅馬法庭上的審判,而是在每一位看到或聽到的人心中的審判。當我們聽到他的應許,我們會問,他能夠實現嗎?如果他可以,那麼他真的是他所說的,神的兒子。假若他實現不了,那他就是人類歷史中最大的騙子。我們一旦聽到耶穌的教導,我們便再也不能保持中立。我們會作出判斷,他是神還是騙子。

   我們怎樣可以作出判斷?對于約翰來說那時很簡單和直接的。最後的決斷是根據耶穌的教導和他所行的神蹟。他克服自然界,克服人的疾病,和克服邪靈的神蹟,還有最後一幕,耶穌從死裡復活。換句話說,對于約翰,基督教的信仰不是建立在人們對耶穌的感知上面,而是建立在歷史史實上面。

   同樣這也使用於我們身上。我們怎樣對耶穌作出決斷?歷史事件。這歷史事件其實是空墳墓。所以,當看到空墳,我們的結論是耶穌的確是神的兒子,他就是神。在神面前,我們最適當的回應就是信他。當我們信耶穌的時候,我們便有了不朽的生命。空墳墓是我們信心的根基。

 

結論﹕

   近來所發現的骸骨是不是屬于耶穌的,對我們來說有沒有關係?耶穌是否活著,和我們有沒有關係?當然有關係。如果近來報導的骨頭是耶穌的骨頭,是說兩千年前,耶穌的墓不是空的,那麼這個耶穌就是有世以來最大的騙子。他不能成就他應許的。

   另一方面,如果墳墓是空的,那麼這些骨頭便不是耶穌的骨頭。如果墳墓是空的,耶穌的確是還 活著 。因為他還活著,我們才可以並應當相信他就是神的兒子,他就是神。作為神,他通過聖靈與我們同在。當我們面臨困難的時候他給予我們力量。當我們迷惘或懼怕時,他會給我們安慰。

   我們在回到“追求幸福”這部電影中的一個場景,因為沒有錢,克里斯.蓋登和兒子在從公寓被赶出之後,又被汽車旅館赶出來。他們最終被 SF Glide Memorial 的一個避難所收容下來。在一次無家可歸的人聚會時,所有的人淚流滿面,齊聲唱道﹕“不要把我前面的障礙移開,請給我力量可以越過障礙;不要把我前面的大山移走,請給我力量可以攀越山嶺。”

   如果墳墓是空的,這首歌會顯得殘酷,只不過是一首自我催眠曲。但是因為耶穌已經升天,我們可以在生命中得到力量和希望。




Date:   04/08/2007

Text:   John 20:1-18

Title:   Bones in the Tomb?

Theme: Since the tomb is empty, we have the assurance that Jesus is able to deliver all that he has promised.

 

Introduction:

 

  About three weeks ago the media was buzzed with the news that bones were found in an ancient tomb that purportedly was the place where Jesus was buried. Along with the Da Vinci Code, and the Gospel of Judas, it again raised the question: who is this Jesus? Jesus, and Christianity is again put on trial. What if these bones were the remains of Jesus? Bones in the Tomb are really an issue of the resurrection. And interestingly, the issue came out just in time for the church’s Easter celebration. So, if these are truly Jesus'' bones, how will that affect Christianity, or how will it affect your Christian faith?

There are a wide range of reactions. Some will say, no, they can’t be Jesus'' bones. Others will say, if it is, then I am going to have second thoughts about my Christianity. Still, others say, it doesn’t matter, for it will not affect their Christian faith either way. To them, Christianity is not built upon historical events, but rather a collection of ideas of a group of people in the 1 st century. In other words, whether or not Jesus had resurrected will have no impact on their understanding of Christianity. So, does it matter to you if those bones really belong to Jesus? Does it matter to you whether or not Jesus had resurrected?

  In the passage we read earlier, John, the author of the Gospel of John, appeared to take Jesus' resurrection very seriously. Among the 4 gospels, he had the most detailed record of events that occurred on the 3 rd morning after Jesus death on the cross. There was great detailed description of the tomb. There were several characters found in John 20, but we’ll focus on Peter, John and Mary. We want to see what their experience was and what it means to us today.

I.   The empty tomb points to the reality of Jesus' resurrection.

  On that morning, John told us that Mary came to Jesus'' burial place. The tomb is actually a cave and its entrance was blocked by a huge stone. From the other gospels, we know that several other women had come with her. But here, the focus is on Mary. She saw that the huge stone in front of the tomb was removed. Her immediate reaction was: somebody had stolen Jesus'' body. How could this have happened? No, it is impossible. So she quickly went to Peter, and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. This other disciple, was John’s way of describing himself. Peter and John apparently were recognized as the leaders among the disciples. Mary told Peter and John that the body of Jesus was removed or stolen.

  Hearing this, Peter and John went and later started running to the tomb. John arrived there first. After getting there, John stooped to look into the tomb and saw linen cloths, used for wrapping Jesus'' body for burial, lying there. But he didn’t go inside the tomb. Then Peter came, went into the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, used to hold the jaws together, was folded or rolled up in a place by itself. And then John also went in to the tomb and saw it. What did it mean to them? It was unlikely that Jesus'' body was stolen. If so, the linen would be taken away as well. If the robbers just took the body, the linen would be all over the ground, plus the spices used for burial would also be spilled all over the place. The inside of the tomb was not chaotic but orderly. John must have remembered what he saw when Jesus raised Lazarus. Lazarus came out of the tomb with the linen cloths still wrapped around him, plus the face cloth still on him. But here, the body was gone, yet the linen and face cloth were neatly lying there. John’s conclusion was Jesus is Alive. He saw the missing body, the linen cloths, and he believed that Jesus had resurrected. The empty tomb points to the reality of Jesus' resurrection.

  We want to explore further what this meant to John, or what must have gone through his mind. He remembered Jesus' teachings. At the very beginning, he saw the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus. Jesus claimed that he would tear the temple and rebuild it in 3 days, his promise that through rebirth, men would see and enter God's kingdom, he was the living water, bread of life. He was the good shepherd, he lay down his life for his sheep. He is the way, the truth and life, no one can come to the Father except through him. He is the resurrection. And then all the promises he gave his disciples in chapters 14-16. He would not leave them alone, but would send them a comforter. This comforter, the Holy Spirit, will dwell with the disciples, helping them to remember and understand all that Jesus had taught them. They were not to fear troubles in the world for he had already overcome the world. He would give them peace in the midst of troubles. Even as John, disciples and the people around them were hearing these statement and promises, they were wondering, were they possible, were they probable? As they listened to Jesus'' teaching, they were really putting him on trial: can he deliver what he promised?

  In the movie The Pursuit of Happiness, Chris the father mentioned to his son that he might take him to a football game after making a sales call. On the way, the son asked, “are we going to the game?” Chris answered, “Possibly.” As the conversation continues, the father said, “most probably we’ll go to the game”. He then explained to him the difference between possible and probable. Hearing that, and knowing the father’s financial situation, the son concluded that it meant they would not be going. And then Chris found out that the person he wanted to sell his product to was going to the ball game. They invited Chris and his son to go along. A highly improbable event turned into reality.

  Are all those statements and promises made by Jesus' probable? Many thought it was improbable and impossible. If the tomb was not empty, Jesus died, and lay in that tomb, the body decayed, and many years later his remains were to be found, then everything he said would become impossible. But not now. To John, having seen the empty tomb with the linen and face cloths lying there neatly, his conclusion was that Jesus had resurrected. He is Alive. Even though he did not fully understand the OT teaching on Jesus' resurrection, yet he believed that Jesus was alive. This means, that everything Jesus had said about himself and his promises are now not only possible but is becoming reality. He is indeed the great shepherd, will give us true life, comfort, peace and never leave us alone. No wonder C.S. Lewis said, “Jesus either is the greatest liar ever lived, or he is truly the son of God, he is God.” It does matter if the tomb is empty or not. It does matter if the bones in that ancient tomb belong to Jesus. You see, if the tomb was not empty, then Jesus would indeed be the greatest liar that ever lived. However, because the tomb was empty as John and Peter saw, then Jesus did resurrect from the death and he is now alive. He indeed is what he claimed to be, the son of God, God himself.

  But the story did not stop here. John went on to focus on what happened to Mary.

II.   The empty tomb brings about a new relationship between Jesus and his followers.

  We read earlier that Mary was the first to come to the tomb. Seeing the stone being rolled away, her first reaction was: Someone had stolen Jesus'' body. After Peter and John left, she remained there. In 11-15, the word “weep” appeared 4 times. She was weeping outside the tomb. When she went in, 2 angels asked her why she was weeping. In a little while Jesus also asked her, why are you crying? These questions can serve as words of comfort, but also a mild rebuke, why are you crying? Don’t you know this is not the time to cry? It is supposed to be a joyous moment. But Mary was so set on her conclusion that Jesus' body had been stolen or removed, that she just couldn’t get over her sorrow over the stolen body. Even with Jesus standing before her, talking to her, she just had no clue who he was. It was like there was a bulb in Mary’s head but it was not lit.

  Then Jesus called her in Aramaic, “Miriam [Mary]”. This is a very intimate call. Mary immediately recognized Jesus and said, “Teacher.” Only after Jesus called her and touched her heart with that intimate name, that the light bulb in Mary’s head lit up.

  Don’t we sometimes feel that way? You try very hard to understand a certain concept in Chemistry or Physics. No matter how many times you read it, it just doesn’t make sense. Then someone make a simple statement or suggestion, then the light bulb is on. It all makes sense now.

I read of individuals who long ago concluded that Jesus was a great Jewish teacher. They would say that because of their background, being educated in a communist country and being members of the communist party, there is no way we can believe that Jesus is more than a great teacher. It is impossible that he would be God, for there is no God to start out with. No matter how many people may have talked to them about God and Jesus, they would not budge an inch. Then out of boredom, they started reading the scriptures and may even have attended some church functions. One day, while reading the Bible, the words just jumped out at them. That inner light bulb suddenly got turned on. For the first time in their lives, they saw Jesus as the son of God, he is God. This is what happened to Mary. Now she recognized that Jesus is indeed Alive. Then what?

  John did not write it down, but it appears that Mary was trying to touch or hold onto Jesus. “ 17 Jesus said to her, "“Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”" Mary tried to hold on to Jesus, wanting to restore her relationship with Jesus as in the good old days. But Jesus was telling her, no, Mary, don’t. Yes, I am alive, but my relationship with you and the disciples will be different from now on. How so?

  Later in chapter 20 we read that Jesus breathed into his disciples, he gave them his Holy Spirit. This reminded us how God breathed into Adam and gave him life. This is what Jesus did to the disciples. And later, at Pentecost, he’d send his spirit to this disciples in a much visible and powerful way. But here in John, Jesus was telling Mary that from now on, his presence with them will be in a different form. You see, just a few days ago, if the disciples wanted to be with Jesus, they would have to go wherever he went . Now, it was different. Through his Holy Spirit, he will be living, dwelling inside their lives. he would never depart from them again. Wherever the disciples, including us, go, He is always there, comforting, guiding and providing us with the strength they need.

  Moreover, Jesus now called his disciples his brothers (sisters). Previously, he called them his friends. Now he brought the relationship one step closer, they are now his brothers and sisters. He was said that he was ascending to ‘my father and your father’. There is some difference here. Jesus is God's son and we are like the adopted children.

  My former pastor in Indiana had a son and a daughter. Later the son, besides their own biological children, adopted two children. Even though they were from a different country with different skin color, yet they were treated with the same kind of love and care as their other two children. The same with us. You see, we are really outside of God's family because of our sins. However, when we put our faith in Jesus, God took us into his family, he adopted us. We can call this creator God our father in heaven.

  Several weeks ago, at the baptism of one sister, she was so elated that she kept saying, “you are my brothers and sisters now. I have finally come back to God's family.”   

III.   The empty tomb is the basis of our faith.

  When Mary went to the disciples, the first thing she said was, “I have seen the Lord.” You see, John saw the empty tomb and believed that Jesus had resurrected from the dead. Mary saw Jesus' resurrection body and believed. Later Thomas also saw the resurrected Jesus in person and he too believed. And this what John meant in vs.31, “ 30 Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

  In this gospel, John used the verb ‘believe’ 100 times. You see, to John, since day1 of Jesus' ministry, Jesus was really on trial. His trial was not in the Roman court during the Passion week, but in the hearts of everyone who has seen or heard him. Having heard of his statements and promises, we ask, can he deliver? If he can, then he is truly what he said he is, the son of God. If not, the greatest liar ever lived. Once we have heard Jesus, we cannot remain neutral; we have to make a verdict on him. Is he God or a liar.

So, how do we come to a verdict? To John it is very simple and straight forward. The final verdict is based on Jesus'' teachings and his miracles. His miracles of overcoming the natural world, overcoming human sicknesses and overcoming the evil spirit. And the final act, Jesus'' resurrection from the dead. In other words, to John, the Christian faith is not based on people’s perception of who Jesus is. Instead, it is based on historical events.

The same with us. how do we come to a verdict on Jesus? Historical events. The event, is really the empty tomb. So, having seen the empty tomb, our verdict is that Jesus is indeed the son of God, he is God. Facing this God, our only proper response is to believe in him. And by believing in him, we will also have eternal life. The empty tomb is the basis of our faith in Jesus Christ.

Conclusion:

  Does it matter if the bones truly belong to Jesus? Does it matter if the tomb was empty or not? Or for that matter, does it matter if Jesus ever lived? Of course it matters. If those bones were Jesus' bones, meaning 2000 years ago, Jesus tomb was not empty, then this Jesus would be the greatest liar ever lived. He would not be able to deliver all that he has promised.

On the other hand, if the tomb was empty, then these bones would not have belonged to Jesus. If the tomb was empty, then he is indeed Alive. Because he is alive, then we can and are to believe that he is indeed the son of God, he is God. Being God, he will be with us through his Holy Spirit. He would give us strength when we are facing difficulties. He will comfort us and when we are confused and scared.

Again in one scene in Pursuit of Happiness. Chris Gardener and his son were evicted from their apartment and later from a motel because he ran out of money. They ended up in a shelter at the SF Glide Memorial. In a church service, with tears streaming down their cheeks, the congregation of homeless people sang: Do not remove the obstacle before me, but give me strength and pull me over it. Do not remove the mountain before me, but give me strength to climb over it.

If the tomb was empty, these songs would be cruel, and function nothing more than self hypnosis, numbing our emotions in times of trouble. But because Jesus is truly risen, He can be our strength and hope in life.

 

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