Some years ago I had the opportunity to go to Lithuania with one of my mother’s cousins and his family. They live in what used to be East Germany but Eric was born into a German community in Lithuania, which lies just north of Poland. My mother’s father thought that his relatives had moved there in the early 1800s, from somewhere in Saxony. The farm property on which my grandpa and this cousin Eric were both born is right on the border between the two countries and is in no-man’s land. We were thus not able to get right to the farm. Someone we met that day had a permit to cut lumber right close to the border and told us of some graves in the woods. We wondered if we might find my great-grandpa’s grave. We trudged through weeds that were above our heads to where there were three graves. They were not family members. The wooden caskets had long since rotted though and the graves were sunken in. It seemed as if someone had dug them as well, to find some “treasure.” All that remained was a huge iron cross and a headstone.
Another grave has been “robbed.” It is unique in the history of this world. It was robbed by God the Father, who took back the Son, by the power of the Spirit. The Lord Jesus, who died unjustly, in our place, could not be held by the grave. The EMPTY TOMB IS our treasure. The Risen Christ IS our treasure. We are not stuck sitting by the grave, wondering what life was like for one who lived long ago, mourning a sad loss. Our Lord’s empty grave reminds us that by faith in His suffering, death and resurrection, on our behalf and for our salvation, our graves will be robbed someday as well. Robbed to take US out, by grace! Robbed to restore us to life everlasting-in a land where everyone can dwell eternally in peace and joy!
It might seem odd that our treasure is NOTHING. But “nothing” inside the tomb, no dead Jesus, in this case, means EVERYTHING comes to us from our loving Lord and Savior. We live in hope of the resurrection to life everlasting. Jesus lives, the victory is won. Death no longer can appall us. Jesus lives, death’s reign is done. From the greave Christ will recall us. Brighter scenes will then commence. This shall be our confidence.
May such hope settle us to live each day looking forward to the fullness of life in God’s presence. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah! Please join in worship every Sunday, since every Sunday is a little Easter. Especially join with your fellow members during Holy Week and on Easter.
In Christ our Lord and Savior,
Pastor Thomas Trapp
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