What A Difference A Sacrifice Makes

"Today's Devotion" For April 6, 2005

Read: Luke 23:50-24:12; Psalm 16

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A SACRIFICE MAKES!

"You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Ps. 16:11)

This past Sunday a member of my Bible Class came up to me after class and asked me what I thought about Pope John Paul II's death. My response was that I hoped that he had known Jesus as his Lord and Savior from Sin and trusted in the merits of Christ alone for his salvation. It was, to my way of thinking, a curious question. Yet, as I've watched some of the news coverage of the people standing in long lines, coming thousands of miles just to view the body, and the emotions that are being expressed in the faces of the "pilgrims" to Rome and the upcoming funeral, I can't help but contrast the outpouring of emotion, love, and, yes, animosity from some circles, for this man with Jesus' death on Calvary and His subsequent burial. It's quite a picture to see the pontiff's body decked out in all his finery and robes of office, lying in repose, elevated on pillows without the use of a casket, for all to see. It's even reported that Prince Charles of Great Britain postponed his wedding for one day in order to attend the funeral mass in honor of the pontiff this coming Friday.

What a contrast this picture of fealty, devotion, and honor is to the death and burial of the Savior of the world. According to Mark's Gospel (15:44), we're told that Pilate was surprised to hear that Jesus was already dead. Without any further ado, Joseph of Arimathea quickly and quietly took Jesus down from the cross, wrapped Him in linen, not even anointing the body for burial, and laid Jesus' body into Joseph's tomb. Except for the three Mary's and the Apostle John, we don't hear about any others being present at His crucifixion, much less His burial. We're told by Luke that the women who had followed Jesus from Galilee saw where His body was laid and went back home to prepare spices to bring back to at least anoint the body after the Sabbath. Having died for the sins of the world, having borne the burden and punishment for those sins on His own head in our place, the best Jesus could get was a quick entombment so the Sabbath wouldn't be violated because a dead body was left unburied.

On that Easter morning so long ago, the women hurried to the tomb to anoint Jesus' body, only to find the tomb empty. On that Easter morning, they hurried back to tell the disciples who couldn't figure out what they were talking about. On that Easter morning, Peter rushed to the tomb, and, as Luke notes, he just wasn't sure what the empty tomb meant and what had happened. Subsequent events, including Jesus' appearance to over 500 people over a period of 40 days, proved to the doubters that Jesus' lives and that death has been overcome. And this event has continued to change and shape the world to this day. The body of John Paul II may lie in state for all to see, but he's not going to rise up and get back to work. No matter how hard any of us prays or hopes, we can be certain that when our loved ones or we die, the bodies will stay in the tomb, the crypt, the urn, or the grave.

Yet, because Jesus lives, we are certain that death has no power to hold us forever or separate us from God's love and forgiveness through Christ our Savior and Lord. Unlike the furtive nature of Jesus' burial, we're able to give thanks and rejoice at the new life that death brings because of His suffering, death, and resurrection. John Paul II isn't going to get up off of that slab, no matter how many rosaries, masses, and prayers for the dead are said. Yet one day, having put his trust in the merits of Christ as his Lord and Savior from Sin, he, along with all of us who believe in Jesus, will be raised with us to a more glorious body and receive the crown of life for which Jesus died and rose again. It's Jesus' sacrifice for us and the whole world that makes this hope possible and assures us that our sins are forgiven and we are restored to wholeness with our Father in heaven.

Prayer: Father, thank You for raising Jesus from the dead. Help me to remember that death has no hold over me or anyone who trusts in Jesus blood and righteousness as "their glorious dress." In Jesus, and Him alone, are all my sins forgiven. In Jesus, and Him alone, do You restore me to that perfect relationship You created me to have with You from the beginning of time. Give me the courage of faith to daily acknowledge Christ Jesus as my Savior and Lord in all my words and deeds. Help me to be faithful witness by how I live and speak so that others might come to see Jesus through me and be led by Your Word and Spirit into a life of faith and trust in Him. In His precious and most holy name I pray. Amen.
*************************

--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.