FROM THE PULPIT: EVIDENCE OF TRUTH

"At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden, and in the garden, a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid. Because it was the Jewish Day of Preparation and since the tomb was nearby, they laid Jesus there." (John 19:4142)

We saw the Church of the Holy Sepulcher while in Jerusalem a few weeks ago. It is built on the site of Golgotha, where Jesus was crucified and died for us, and of the tomb in which He was buried, from which He arose, triumphant over death that first Easter morning. From the beginning, Christians revered the site. Later, Jerusalem was destroyed, leveled by the Roman army in 70 A.D., and again in 133. Emperor Hadrian expelled all Jews from the city. He also built a pagan temple on the site of Golgotha and the empty tomb, hoping to erase the memory of Christ. What he actually accomplished was to mark the spot for posterity!

Christianity was embraced by Constantine in 312 A.D., who subsequently legalized the faith. His mother Helena undertook a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 326 to find the holy sites of Christendom and immortalize them with a church building. Therefore, on the site of Hadrian's temple was built the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. The original building no longer stands due to various invasions since then (you can see parts of it within the present building). But the site remains, altered, but marked, as a vivid reminder to all-the tomb is empty! Jesus Christ is risen indeed!

I understood a couple of things from our visit there. First, the enemies of the Church can do their worst, and they often do. But the Church of Jesus remains forever. Hadrian thought he was ridding the world of the monument to Christ's death and resurrection, but ultimately, he helped establish a more permanent one! In many ways, evil may seem to triumph, but God always manages to turn things around for good, and for His glory. Remember we pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done?" Or all Paul said," In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him..." (Rom.8:28)

Second, as enduring as the site is, it is by no means eternal. Buildings can be destroyed, after all. But for the moment, the church of the Holy Sepulcher reminds me of Jesus words, "On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. "(Matthew 16:18) The Church- the Body of Christ- is alive and remains forever.

Thirdly, God surely uses earthly means for our spiritual benefit. I had not expected to be so deeply moved as I was at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Many experience a spiritual renewal at the Garden Tomb, an alternate site that preserves a first century tomb in a thriving garden. Yet I experienced what I can only describe as being bathed in truth while visiting the empty tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. I trembled inside with excitement, being bolstered in certainty that Jesus is alive. "I am the Living One; I once was dead, and behold, I am alive forever and ever!" (Revelation 1:18)

This is what our pilgrimage was all about, certain knowledge of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and trust in Him as your living Savior is what gives life, joy, hope. Perhaps some of the best news of all is this: you don't have to go to Jerusalem to believe. "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:29) "But these are written that you may believe." (John 20:31) Turn from sin. Trust in Jesus who died and rose again to set you free from sin and death. Then follow Him. Follow Him with all your heart, and He will save you and give you joy, peace, hope and everlasting life.