Parkstone

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Biblical answer: A cemetery is not filled with happy, bustling people, and few of us want to stay there for long. It doesn’t speak of hope, but usually bears silent testimony to those who lay there. If we walk around quietly, the inscriptions tell of broken hearts and aspirations that have been dashed. Some gravestones speak of the loved one resting in the arms of Jesus, or gone to a much better place. We leave knowing that in the prevailing order of things the time will come for us to be sealed in mother earth.

If that is all there is to life, then the future seems grim. Death will come to every door. What a dismal prospect! But there is only one book in the world that removes all sorrow and points to a thrilling and brilliant future. The Bible’s history presents man in a wonderful paradise, sinning and bringing mortality into the world. All his descendants are sinners too, and quite plainly God said, ‘The soul that sinneth it shall die.’

What happens when our life ceases? Again the Bible is explicit and tells us that we go to the grave where there is no love or hatred, whether we are rich or poor. The righteous and the wicked all lie down together. The psalmist David grieved about that. He was not afraid to die, but was saddened that no praise could be offered to the God he loved. He gave no hint of going to his reward at death, rather does he point to a waiting for it, and states so simply, ‘I shall be satisfied when I awake with my likeness.’ Suddenly in all its glory the hope of Scripture is before us. The Old Testament prophet, Daniel adds, ‘Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.’ Sleep is such a gentle word and helps to remove any worries about death.

The Lord Jesus Christ emphasised the point, ‘This is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the son, AND BELIEVETH ON HIM, may have everlasting life; and I will raise him at the last day.’ We have a categorical assurance that the sleeping ones will be awakened at a set time called ‘the last day.’ (John 6 v 40 ). The apostle Paul adds, ‘The dead in Christ shall rise.’ With stirring words he adds, ‘the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall be raised.’ Could anything be more definite? This is the glorious news that the Bible holds out to every true seeker. The grave may seal us in death, but the power of God will smash its bonds, and awaken us to a glorious life for evermore. We will reign with Christ on earth, for he promised, ‘Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.’

Next we look at our Saviour. We are told that he was made in all points like unto his brethren, therefore he must have been mortal, and like all mankind he died. Yet, the grave was for sinners and before the Father he was blameless. Therefore the grave could not hold him. He had said that he would rise. It was a boast or the truth, and there is no other way that we can consider such a powerful claim.

The gospel writer, Luke, also takes us to stand in a cemetery, but on this occasion we join with angels. The women had gone to anoint the Lord’s body but were utterly at a loss, for there was no corpse in the tomb. Then they heard those glad words, ‘He is not here, he is risen.’ ( Luke 24 ) What a thrilling message that stimulated those women to hurry to tell the disciples, and we know that as that infectious joy stirred their hearts, so the happiness spread across the Roman Empire. Thousands of seeking souls were spurred to accept the Christian Gospel, despite many hardships and savage persecution. That same invitation has come ringing down to us. There is not a shadow of doubt that if we die the day will come when the ancient graves will be stirred , and we WILL be called forth, and by grace stand in glory.

How appropriate therefore that 1 Corinthians 15 is read at so many funerals for it gives the most vivid hope to perishing mankind, ‘Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.’ It is such heart warming news – death’s bands will be smashed, as they were with the Saviour. Therefore, with superlative confidence, the apostle continues, ‘Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.’ He is counselling us that if we know these marvellous things, to spread the good news – the grave has been conquered.

It remains for us to ask whether we will be foolish, like Adam, or endeavour to follow the example of he who is our Lord and saviour, and who is to return as Lord of all. If we do try to be true Christian examples we shall see a time when death will visit no more homes, and when we can exult as we see the divine plan of the ages brought to fruition. It is a superb hope, available to all who respond to God’s love. Is it any wonder the Christian’s heart warming prayer is ‘Thy Kingdom Come’? Hear then the final call, ‘He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.’

Will we take up the challenge? We make the answer now.