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| Vol. 15 No. 5 May 2013 | Page 12 |
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| Vol. 15 No. 5 May 2013 | Page 12 |
Mark McWhorter
There were some interesting funeral rites during Bible times. A body was wrapped from head to foot. Then it was carried to the place of burial. The bier on which the body was carried was followed by mourners. These mourners normally cried loudly to express their grief. The body was then put in a grave, which many times was a cave if the person was wealthy. The funeral procession would then return toward home, but it would pause from time to time to allow people to comfort the relatives. The day was then concluded by a funeral feast. This feast included the “bread of mourners” and the “cup of consolation.” The feast is referenced in 2 Samuel 3:35; Jeremiah 16:7 and Hosea 9:4.
There are several aspects of the Lord’s Supper. It was given to us by Jesus to remember His self-sacrifice for us. The bread is representative of His body. The grape juice is representative of His blood. In one way, we can look at the Lord’s Supper as a funeral feast. We should have some mourning as we partake of it. It is because of our sins that our Lord had to die a horrible death on the cross (Matthew 5:4). We should also have great consolation. Because he died and was resurrected, we have the hope of living eternally with God in heaven (Hebrews 6:18). As you worship and observe the Lord’s Supper, think about the significance of the “bread of mourners” and the “cup of consolation,” and if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
Brad Harrub
Every year thousands of Muslims make a pilgrimage to Mecca to the tomb of Muhammad. Likewise, followers of Confucianism visit the grave of Confucius in Qufu, Shandong Province of China. Similarly, the Temple of the Tooth or “Dalada Maligawa” is believed to house some of the cremated ashes of Buddha. Having been buried centuries ago, the physical bodies of these religious founders are slowly turning to dust as millions journey to pay honor and respect.
Christianity is unique in that we serve a risen Savior. There are no remains to which to pilgrimage. Our Savior Jesus Christ fully conquered death. For those skeptics who vehemently cling to naturalistic causes for everything, the bodily resurrection of Jesus seems ludicrous. They laugh at the very notion. Yet, what does the evidence prove? Here’s what I intend on teaching my children about the resurrection.
Everything hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the church in Corinth, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise. For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14-17). Simply put, if Jesus could not make it out of the tomb, we do not have any hope.
When you consider the resurrection, ask yourself first and foremost: Who moved the stone? Make no doubt about it, the individuals living at that time took ample measure to make sure the tomb was secure. The chief priests and Pharisees spoke to Pilate and said, “Sir we remember while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away” (Matthew 27:63-64). We learn from Matthew’s account that the stone in front of the tomb was sealed and a guard was assigned to watch the tomb (vs. 65-66).
Yet, even with all of this preparation, the tomb was found empty. Logic tells us that if the Jews took the body, they would have paraded it all around town denouncing the notion that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. If they really knew where the body was, it would have surfaced not long after the crucifixion. Likewise, if the disciples took the body then they would have known for certain that the resurrection was a hoax. Not only did they preach about the bodily resurrection of Jesus, but many went to their deaths proclaiming it. Who would go to his own death perpetuating a lie? A stranger off the street would not have taken it for fear of the guard and breaking the seal – besides what use would the body have been to a stranger? None of these options is logical – and yet the tomb remains empty.
I have come to regard the resurrection as probably the best “Christian evidence” material in existence. Scholars who do not believe in the Bible will concede that a man named Jesus walked the earth and was crucified. We have ancient historical writings that serve as evidence for these events. How can one explain away the empty tomb? Again, who rolled away the stone? How was it Saul – who would later become the apostle Paul – was so utterly convinced of the resurrection? Additionally, why would thousands of religious people change their day of worship from the Sabbath (Saturday – Exodus 20:8; 31:15-19) to the first day of the week (Sunday – Acts 6:7; 21:20)? Finally, why would thousands of Jews be pricked in their hearts on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) if it were merely a hoax?
Jesus conquered death. This exciting fact gives meaning to every aspect of our modern-day worship. We now have a Mediator through which we can pray. It gives meaning to the Lord’s Supper that we observe on the first day of the week. The truth that Jesus came out of the grave gives Christians the hope that we too will one day spend eternity with Him! Study the resurrection, for it will certainly strengthen your faith.