What if?
I just finished reading an impactful book, “If The Tomb Is Empty,” by pastor Joby Martin. Joby is the pastor of the Eleven22 Church in Jacksonville, FL.
This is not a book review, per se – but more a written revelation of the power of the Gospel.
Revelation #1
Now I’m sure I knew this deep down but in this book the profoundness of it sank in.
Remember way back when in Genesis when Abraham was instructed to take his son Isaac, his only son, Isaac, to Mount Moriah to offer a sacrifice. Abraham was asked by the LORD to sacrifice his son, his only son, on an altar. I don’t know about you but I’d be hard-pressed to tie up my beloved son and place him on a bed of kindling to be burned up after I plunged a knife in his heart.
But, Abraham did it. Took his son, his only son, and hiked to the land of Moriah. He was ready to plunge the death knife when God said, “Abraham! Stop!” At the very same time father Abraham heard the bleating of a sheep, a perfect lamb, in the thicket. And God said, “Here is the sacrifice!”
Revelation #2
Approximately eighteen hundred years later, God walked with His Son, His only Son, Jesus Christ, up to the same hill – known today as [Golgotha]. This time the Sacrifice bore a crossbeam across His tattered bare back and tied to His wrists.
This time, there was no sacrificial lamb in the brush – Jesus was the perfect Lamb of God.
*Same mountain – different sacrifice. [please read below]
Revelation #3
Yes, we all know ‘the rest of the story,’ don’t we? The Lord Jesus Christ, crucified, bearing the weight and the burden of our sin, was the only sufficient sacrifice to redeem a broken and doomed world.
God’s Son, His only Son, died on Mount Calvary, was buried in a new and borrowed tomb, and, on the Third Day, resurrected and over the course of some days appeared to 500+ people.
Revelation #4
If the tomb was empty on day 3 – that enables me to become more than I ever thought possible. That is not intended to be taken in a vain manner. If the tomb was empty, and I believe with my whole heart that it was, something in me must change. I am no longer the same.
Let me explain.
When we look back over the miracles Jesus performed, we see Jesus Christ instructing the recipients to do something.
- Lazarus of Bethany. John 11. “Lazarus, come forth – loose him from his grave clothes.” John 11.43-44. In other words Jesus instructed him to go change his clothes, you’re not dead anymore – you are more alive than you’ve ever been!
- The crippled man at the pool of Bethesda. John 5. “Do you want to be made well? Rise, take up your bed and walk!” John 5.6-8. In other words – don’t just lie there on that bed – get up and do something – you are a walking man now – go live.
- The adulterous woman. John 8. “Woman, where are your accusers? Has no one condemned you? Neither do I condemn you. Go! and sin no more!” John 8.10-11. In other words – woman, you are free, found innocent, go live your life and do not fall into sin anymore because I have set you free.
Revelation #5
That tomb IS empty. There are no IF’s to this historical fact. And, because it is empty, we as believers and followers of Christ can be more alive than we’ve ever been. We have the power to do something – to change the world for someone. We can go live our free life because no one can condemn us – Jesus set us free.
Am I living like this?
Are you?
Grace & Hope,
Sus’
*P.S. In further study I have learned the mountain name was not correct but the sacrifices were indeed on the same mountain.
Susan, I am not sure I ever realized that Mount Moriah and Calvary are the same. That is astounding! Thank you for sharing this!
Jo’ I have corrected the text. The sacrifices were on the same mountain but it was NOT Mt Moriah. I apologize for any confusion.
This is fascinating, Susan! So, I did quick research to verify the authors claim that Mt. Moriah and Mt. Calvary are the same. I found this source: https://www.answers.com/Q/Is_Mount_Moriah_the_same_as_Golgotha
Which says, “Mount Moriah is the Mount on which the temple was built (2.Chron 3,1) where today the Dome of the Rock exists. On Mount Moriah the temple faced east.” And “Golgotha is the Mount on which Jesus was crucified. It was named Golgotha (skull) and Kranion (cranium) because it looks like the top part of a skull, the skull-pan.”
That article references: https://lrdusatko.com/AFGolgotha
for a map and more lengthy description. Towards the end of the article, it specifically talks about Abraham and Golgotha. It agrees with the author that Abraham and Jesus were offered on the same hill, but it wasn’t Mt. Moriah (where the temple is built), but the Mt. God sees i.e. Golgotha i.e. Cranium Place. So his premise is correct, but the Mt name is incorrect. This is very fascinating! It does say that Mt. Moriah and the Temple Mount are the same place, but different from Golgotha. Thanks for sharing and let us know if you find out anything else! It is so interesting!
You are indeed correct, Lisa. I quoted the book’s author and have corrected the error in my post with a footnote.
Love it
Thanks Sister.
Susan, the focus on the tomb being empty is the key to our freedom as well! For as our lives are hidden with Christ, we too, have overcome sin, death and the grave!
Donna, YES indeed!
It’s wonderful that God forgives us, be then He also changes us and enables us.
YES!
Praise be to God! Great revelations, causing me to pause and reflect here. Thank you for sharing this wonderful lesson.
Thank you, friend!