He Still Isn't There!

Back in early February, a story broke that captured my attention...you might have heard about it. England’s King Richard III’s body was located under a parking lot in the town of Leicester. His remains were actually discovered last year, but DNA testing of King Richard’s descendants conclusively determined that the remains are in fact those of King Richard III.

King Richard III ruled England between 1483 and 1485, during the decades-long tussle over the throne known as the Wars of the Roses. His rule was challenged by Henry Tudor, and he was defeated and killed by Tudor’s army. Henry Tudor then took the throne as King Henry VII. King Henry VII was the last English king to ascend to the throne as a result of vanquishing his predecessor in battle.  

For centuries, the location of King Richard III’s body was unknown. Records say he was buried by monks at their church in Leicester, 100 miles north of London. The church was closed and dismantled after King Henry VIII dissolved the monasteries in 1538, and its location eventually was forgotten. Then, in September of 2012, archaeologists searching for King Richard dug up the skeleton of an adult male who appeared to have died in battle. Study of the remains revealed that there were ten injuries to the body inflicted by weapons like swords, daggers and halberds (think of a battle axe) and were consistent with accounts of Richard being struck down in battle. His remains also bore the hallmarks of “humiliation injuries” inflicted by his enemies after death. 

Reading this story and delighting in the history of a located fallen king got me thinking. There is another historical King who died before his time, but experts have not been able to find those remains. Like in the case of Richard III, there is a pretty good idea as to where he was buried, though interest never waned. I'm sure you know where I'm going with this – that King’s name is Jesus! After millennia of searching for Jesus’ remains, there is only one conclusion to which we constantly arrive: He still isn’t there!

As we near our celebration of Resurrection Day this week (i.e., Easter Sunday), I can guarantee that the remains of Jesus will never be found. For on that glorious day, GOD broke into that tomb, released His precious Son from the grip of death, and in one fell swoop, declared that death shall no longer have any hold over any of His children! This eternity altering event has been attempted to be understood and reframed as some conspiracy by Jesus’ followers to preserve His movement. But the fact that despite history’s attempt to locate Jesus’ body, and identify Him by His wounds of humiliation, the fact of the matter is He simply wasn’t there, and isn’t there still! This is a perfect time to remember the beautiful question posed that first Resurrection Morning: “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” (Luke 24:5) 

Those who do not believe in Jesus as the Son of GOD still try to deny the power His name and legacy; despite those vain attempts, His movement perseveres. Jesus’ followers have at times had to endure all sorts of persecution and attempts at humiliation, just like He did when He walked on the earth. This shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise to us, because Jesus even said it would be the case. Though the wounds that were inflicted upon the Lord attempted to humiliate Him, they became the conduit for our victory! For as Isaiah prophesied, “He was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Is.53:5, emphasis mine) 

During this year’s Easter celebration, it is my prayer that you can rejoice in the bold fact that the tomb of Christ is still empty! The wounds that He endured bearing the burden of our sin were thought to be signs of humiliation, but they stand as symbols of our freedom. So know that as people are trying to learn and recall the story of King Richard III’s life and death, Jesus’ tomb remains empty proving to us that his death begins the story of our life, because…He still isn’t there!!!