Syria and southern Turkey earthquake

From the Rubble

Last Monday, before dawn, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake caused widespread
destruction across northern Syria and southern Turkey. Thousands of lives
have been lost and thousands of buildings have collapsed.

Amid the destruction, there have been some marvelous rescues.

On Monday evening in Jinderis, Syria, a young girl was found alive, buried
in the wreckage of a building made of concrete. Video footage from the
White Helmets, a regional emergency service, shows a rescuer digging through
crushed concrete amid twisted rebar, uncovering the head of the little girl.
The little girl, whose name is Nour, looks up dazedly. The rescuer informs
her that her father is there. "Dad is here, don't be scared. ... Talk to
your dad, talk." The rescuer wipes dust from her eyes as she looks for her
father.

After additional, careful digging, Nour was rescued from the rubble and
reunited with her father. *

Another dramatic rescue effort was accomplished in the midst of an
earthquake. The lives at stake were yours and mine. The Rescuer was the
sinless Son of God. In order to rescue us from our condemning sins, Jesus
had to give His life for our sins by dying on a cross.

After suffering intense agony on the cross, Jesus cried out and "yielded up
His spirit" (Matthew 27:50). "Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn
in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split"
(Matthew 27:51). Perhaps the earth quaked because God's wrath was being
"poured out" on Jesus as He bore our sins on the cross (1 Peter 2:24). The
veil of the temple being torn from top to bottom indicates that Jesus was
opening up the way for man to be reconciled to God. The fact that it was
torn from the top points to the fact that it was God who made the
reconciliation possible (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

Nour's timely rescue pictures our rescue by Christ: "You see, at just the
right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly"
(Romans 5:6 NIV).

And we are also encouraged to look to the Father. He is the one who has
made salvation and eternal life possible at tremendous cost: the precious
blood of His Son (1 Peter 1:18-19). He awaits with open arms those who will
accept His rescue through their trusting obedience.

God will save, welcome to His family, and give eternal life to those who
place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins
in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts
2:38). He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in
the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

In our sins, we are found in the rubble, dying. Yet through the sacrifice
that Jesus made for us, God is calling to us: "I am the Father. I love you
and want to save you. Take My hand. Accept My offer of salvation. I will
care for you for an eternity."

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "A newborn was found alive in the rubble after
the earthquake in Syria" by the Associated Press, as shared in www.npr.org.

Is Christmas in the Bible?

What about Christmas?

It is not the giving of gifts that is challenged.  It is not the happy associations we may have with our families and friends.  Such things can be right at any time of the year.   We are not questioning these things.  Our point is simply this:  The Bible does not inform us as to the birthday of Christ, nor does the Bible authorize us to make a religious observance of the birthday of Christ.  Hence, to attempt such is to go beyond the limits of divine authority.

- by Paul C. Keller

_______________________________________________
 
Where Did Christmas Originate & Who Authorized It?

To answer these questions it is necessary to go outside the New Testament.  The Encyclopedia Americana says, "The Christmas celebration was not observed in the first centuries of the church." The Catholic Encyclopedia says, "Christmas was not among the early festivals of the church."

Now notice this:  If we cannot find the Christmas observance in the New Testament, and a secular encyclopedia says that it was not observed in the first centuries of the church, and a religious encyclopedia says that it was nonexistent in the early church, then we must conclude that it did not originate with the apostles.

By whose authority did this December observance originate?  Colliers Encyclopedia tells us that Lyberius, the Bishop of Rome, whom the Catholics regard as one of the early Popes, ordered in 354 A.D. that "December 25th be observed as the birthday of Christ." December 25th had formerly been used by the Romans as a feast day for their Sun-God, Mithra.  The Roman Saturnalia (riotous festival of Saturn) also came at this time.  "The indications are that the church in this way grasped an opportunity to turn the people away from a purely pagan observance of the winter solstice to a day of adoration of Christ the Lord.  Both Saint Cyprian and Saint John Chrysostom allude to this thought in their writings."  (Colliers Encyclopedia)  "December 25th was already a festive day for the sun god, Mithra, and appealed to the Christians as an appropriate day to commemorate the birth of Jesus, the light of the world." (Lincoln Library of Essential Information)

From these statements by reliable sources it is easy to see that the date of Christmas had its origin in a pre-Christian age among the pagans.  It was adopted into a so- called "Christian" holiday by the Roman Catholic Church.  Furthermore, the word "Christmas" is of Catholic origin.  The word is derived from the medieval "Christes Masse," the mass of Christ, which is a corruption of the Lord's Supper.  On December 25th, even until this day, the Catholics hold a special Mass for Christ.  In time, "Christes Masse" came to be shortened to "Christmas."

Christmas, then, had its origin and authority in the Roman Catholic church.

- by David Padfield

_______________________________________________
 
Some Facts about Christmas

The word "Christmas" is formed by the combining of the words "Christ" and "mass", thus, "the Mass of Christ.”   The holiday as we know it originated with Roman Catholic ritual, although the ultimate origin of many of the customs of the season is not Catholicism, but. paganism.

No one knows the birth date of Jesus. We do not know it because God did not choose to reveal it. Early writers not only acknowledged ignorance of the date of Christ's birth, but also repudiated the idea of a special observance of his birth.  "As late as 245 A.D. Origen ... repudiated the idea of keeping the birthday of Christ . . . Clement of Alexandria (ca.200 A.D.) mentions several speculations on the date of Christ's birth, and condemns them as superstitious. Some chronologists, he says, alleged the birth to have occurred in the 28th year of Augustus, on 25 Pachon (an Egyptian month); ie., May 20. Others assign it. to 24 or 25 Pharrnuth (April 19 or 20)." (Encyclopedia Brittanica).

A consideration of the facts brings us to these important conclusions concerning the religious observance of Christmas, or any special ceremonies or observances surrounding the birthday of Christ:
1. We do not know the date of Christ's birth. God did not choose to reveal it.
2. The celebration of Jesus' birth did not begin until several hundred years after the beginning of the church.
3. The special religious observance of Christ's birth is the combination of Roman Catholic and pagan traditions and rituals.
4. The Bible says nothing about such an observance, and it IS therefore unscriptural.

All that we do, in word or deed, is to be done "in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ" (CoI.3:17).  "Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom.14:23). "Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom.l0:17). Regardless of piety or sincerity involved, activities such as religious observance of Christmas or Easter are not authorized by God's word, and therefore are not pleasing to the Lord.

- by Tom Moody

 

The Greek word for "bondage" in 1 Cor. 7:15

Jesus’ Law on Marriage

We conclude our study of divorce and remarriage with this final false doctrine:

6) BASED UPON 1 COR. 7:15, IF A BELIEVER IS DESERTED BY AN UNBELIEVING MATE, THE BELIEVER IS FREE TO REMARRY.  The verse reads, “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God hath called us to peace.”  It is argued that Paul is stating further revelation on the subject of divorce and remarriage, and here gives an additional exception to the one mentioned in Matt. 19:9

We agree that the apostles, through the Holy Spirit, revealed many things that Jesus had not previously made known (exactly as promised in John 16:12,13).  But nothing revealed to the apostles by the Spirit could be at contradiction with what Jesus personally taught.  Jesus taught there was only one exception for divorce and remarriage.  If Paul’s statement means that there are really two exceptions, then we have a contradiction.

Actually, the Greek word for “bondage” in 1 Cor. 7:15, though found 133 times in the New Testament, is never used with reference to the marriage bond.  A different word is used of the marriage bond (see 1 Cor. 7:27,19)  The “bondage” referred to in 7:15 has to do with the obligations of a Christian to his/her mate.  If that unbelieving mate chooses to leave, the Christian is unable to perform those obligations, but in such cases he/she is “not under bondage” to do the impossible.

The Lord’s teaching on divorce and remarriage is plain.  Let us have the faith and determination to apply it fairly in every situation.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Can divorced people go to heaven?

Jesus’ Law on Marriage

Here is yet another erroneous view on the subject of divorce and remarriage:

5) SOME CLAIM BOTH PARTIES IN THE DIVORCE ARE FREE TO REMARRY IF THE CAUSE FOR THE DIVORCE IS FORNICATION. THAT IS TO SAY, THE GUILTY PARTY MAY ALSO REMARRY.

Those who teach this view maintain that if the marriage is broken then neither party is bound, and so both may remarry. They fail to realize that a God approved marriage is more than a civil contract. Two people, in marriage, are bound to each other, and at the same time bound to the law of God. A marriage may be broken by divorce, but the two people involved, although no longer married, are still bound by the law of God. Whether either can marry again depends on whether or not God gives that right. (Review our earlier article on the difference between "married" and "bound", especially in Rom. 7:2,3 and 1 Cor. 7:10,11.)

A more technical attempt to defend this position involves an argument on Matt. 5:32 and 19:9. These folks want us to believe that the only remarriage that Jesus was forbidding was that of a person who was put away for some reason other than fornication. In other words, they would have the verses to read: "Whosoever shall put away his wife for fornication and shall marry another does not commit adultery; and whoso marrieth her which is put away for fornication does not commit adultery". The obvious flaw here is that such a twisted interpretation has the direct result of rewarding the fornicator for his/her sin. Actually, the verses teach that God does not allow any "put away" person to remarry.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Bible study on marriage divorce and remarriage

Jesus’ Law on Marriage

Our study of false doctrines concerning divorce and remarriage continues:

4) DIVORCES AND REMARRIAGES WHICH OCCUR BEFORE ONE BECOMES A CHRISTIAN ARE OF NO CONSEQUENCE, BECAUSE NON-CHRISTIANS ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THE LAW OF CHRIST IN THIS MATTER.

Those who hold to this view argue that Christ is, indeed, King over His kingdom, but those outside the kingdom are not subject to the laws of the king. These folks maintain that the only sin of the non-Christian is the sin of unbelief.

THE TRUTH IS:

Actually, Christ has all authority “in heaven and earth” (Matthew 28:18), and all flesh is under his authority (John 17:2). This means that every man and woman must comply with His law in every regard, including His law on marriage. To prove this is so, consider 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. There Paul lists a whole group of sinners who "shall not inherit the kingdom of God". In the list are idolaters, drunkards, thieves ... and adulterers. Now note that Paul says "such were some of you: but ye are washed ... " Obviously, then, even when they were alien sinners, these people were held accountable for the sins they committed in violation of the law of God, including violation of His marriage law.

We should also notice that the very statement of Jesus' marriage law in Matthew 19:9 says "whosoever shall put away his wife..." - indicating that the restrictions stated there apply to all mankind.

This is yet another of the many false doctrines being taught in an effort to justify unscriptural divorce and remarriage.

- by Greg Gwin

 

Sermon illustrations for John 3:16

To Find a Wife

Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish theologian of another century, tells a
story of a prince who wanted to find a maiden suitable to be his queen. One
day while running an errand in the local village for his father, he passed
through a poor section. As he glanced out the windows of the carriage, his
eyes fell upon a beautiful peasant maiden. During the ensuing days he often
passed by the young lady and soon fell in love.

But he had a problem. How would he seek her hand?

He could order her to marry him. But even a prince wants his bride to marry
him freely and voluntarily and not through coercion.

He could put on his most splendid uniform and drive up to her front door in
a carriage drawn by six horses. But if he did this he would never be
certain that the maiden loved him or was simply overwhelmed with all of the
splendor.

The prince came up with another solution. He would give up his kingly robe.
He moved into the village, entering not with a crown but in the garb of a
peasant. He lived among the people, shared their interests and concerns,
and spoke their language.

In time the maiden grew to love him for who he was and because he had first
loved her. *

Kierkegaard's story illustrates how God "wins" our love.

It is truly incredible to consider that our great holy, powerful, and
majestic God desires to have a relationship with us. Even though we make
bad choices and even rebel against Him, He loves us and wants us to be
reconciled to Him so that He can give us salvation and eternal life.

How does an infinite God communicate with finite man in a way that His love
and His will can be clearly understood?

God sent His Son into the world so that we can know God (John 14:9) and
understand how much He loves us (John 3:16). "The Word became flesh and
made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One
and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14).
Jesus "pitched His tent" among us. He shared our interests and concerns,
endured our temptations (Hebrew 4:15), and spoke our language. He showed us
the glory and glorious love of God. He also showed us the way to God and
eternal life.

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through Me" (John 14:6).

When we truly understand who Jesus is and what He has done for us, we will
love Him and desire to follow Him.

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust
in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He will
continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His
Word (1 John 1:7-9).

"We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Take a good,
thorough look at Jesus. You will see what God is like and how much He loves
you. When you do, you will gladly submit your life to Him.

-- David A. Sargent

* From "A Prince Who Wanted To Find A Wife," an illustration of
"incarnation" from Salt for Sermons, www.saltforsermons.org.uk.

The truth about Halloween

Halloween

 

    It’s time for all the Halloween festivities to happen. One reliable source says, “Today, Americans spend an estimated $6 billion annually on Halloween, making it the country’s second largest commercial holiday after Christmas.” Kids in costumes come around saying “Trick or Treat.” Many of the costumes look like “ghosts” or other scary creatures. What is this all about? Where and when did it begin? Does it have any religious connections? What does the Bible say about it and what should be the Christian’s response to the events of this holiday?

 

History

 

    Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sa win). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, mostly in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France. They celebrated their new year on November 1. Since the Celtics’ day began at sunset, this festival occurred on our October 31 and November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. They believed that the ghosts of those who died that year returned to earth to visit their homes and to journey to the otherworld.

 

    Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, believed that cats were sacred and had once been human beings, but were changed as a punishment for evil deeds. That is why cats, particularly frightened cats, are part of Halloween (World Book Encyclopedia).

 

    People set bonfires on hilltops to frighten away evil spirits. They sometimes wore masks and other disguises to avoid being recognized by the ghosts. It was in those ways that beings such as witches, hobgoblins, fairies, and demons came to be associated with the day.

 

    “To free yourself from their supposed evil sway, you would have to set out food – give the demons a treat – and provide shelter for them during the night. If food and shelter were not provided, or if they were not satisfied, these spirits, would ‘trick’ you by casting an evil spell on you and cause havoc” (The Truth about Halloween by Bob McCurry).

 

    “Jack-O’-Lantern were named for a man called Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until Judgment Day. Fearful of spooks…folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare evil spirits from the house” (World Book Encyclopedia as quoted in McCurry’s tract).

 

Religious History

 

    From the time Emperor Constantine (early fourth century) came to power he tried to form the “church” into an organization like the Roman Empire. He also wanted the world to be united under one religion. As this form a Christianity spread, they had to deal with various festivals and pagan practices. Rather than forcing these pagans to give up their practices, the Roman Catholic Church tried to incorporate those practices into some “Christian” idea. This is what happened with the practices connected with the Samhain festival.

 

    In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints. Because “All Saints Day” was the same date as Samhain, soon, “All Saints Day” incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain festival. “All Hallows' Eve” (October 31) also honored saints and so the two days came together to pay homage to saints. The evening before “All Saints Day” was known as “All Hallows Eve.” “All Hallows' Eve" means "hallowed evening." This phrase was eventually shortened to "Halloween,"

 

United States History

 

    The celebration of Halloween was largely forbidden among the early American colonists, but in the 1800s there developed festivals that gave honor for the harvest, and they began to incorporated elements of Halloween. When large numbers of immigrants, including the Irish, came to the United States beginning in the mid-19th century, they brought their Halloween customs with them, and in the 20th century Halloween became one of the principal U.S. holidays, particularly among children.

 

Biblical and Christian View

 

    There were several religious festivals which Jews under the Law of Moses were to honor. But, when Christ gave us His law, He forbade honoring religious holidays other than the Lord’s Supper. The Jewish Christians in the area of Galatia had returned to following religious holidays and Paul condemned them. “How is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain” Galatians 4:9-11. Paul also told the brethren in Colossae not to let anyone bind on them religious holidays (Colossians 2:16-17). Therefore, it would be wrong to participate in Halloween activities as a religious holiday. But, what if one does not honor it as a religious holiday, but only as a secular holiday?

 

    Many denominations honor several “religious holidays” as a way to honor God. Others, enjoy those holidays, but do not dedicate them to God. Thus, they celebrate them as a secular event. Can a Christian do the same with the events of Halloween?

 

    Each person has to decide this for himself. I believe that one can participate in Halloween activities as a secular event, particularly as a holiday primarily for children. (Although, it has become a major event for adults). But, I really have reservations that we ought to promote the ideas of “ghost,” “witches” “hobgoblins,” and other creatures which stand for evil. There is too much evil being promoted in the world today without adding to it through a holiday. My opinion is that if it is celebrated at all, the fun-side, not the evil-side should be promoted. But, as I said, you have to decide to what degree you will participate in this holiday.

 

Wayne Burger

 

Nicole Kelly, a traveling nurse

Responding to the Call

Crew members of a JetBlue aircraft found a woman passenger unresponsive in a
bathroom during a flight on August 1. A flight attendant requested help on
the intercom from any medical personnel that were on board the plane. Twin
sisters responded to the call.

Nicole Kelly, a traveling nurse as well as a nurse at Lahey Hospital &
Medical Center in Burlington, MA, and her sister Lindsay Byrne, a
firefighter and paramedic with the Wayland, MA, Fire Department, almost
instinctively sprung into action.

Byrne noted that an attendant told the sisters "that the woman was
unresponsive and she didn't know what to do; she couldn't feel a pulse, said
she wasn't breathing."

Kelly reported, "When we had her out [of the bathroom], we heard a faint
beeping - that's when we noticed it was a blood sugar monitor. So we knew
it was her blood sugar and that it was a diabetic emergency."

The twins began to think about how to get some sugar for the woman whose
blood sugar was dangerously low. "We got some sugar packets and put the
sugar under her tongue until it helped her regain consciousness," Kelly
explained.

When the woman awoke, Kelly said "she was confused and too weak to sit up in
the seat." So the sisters stayed with her, never leaving her side for the
rest of the flight.

As soon as the plane landed, there was a team of medical staff waiting to
treat the ailing passenger. Kelly and Byrne explained the situation to a
responding paramedic. The woman received the help that she needed.

Kelly was thankful that she and her sister could help. "We were able to be
in the right place at the right time. We're happy knowing we were able to
do something with a positive outcome." *

Whether we realize it or not, you and I are in a precarious situation. We
are "dead in our sins" (Ephesians 2:1-4) and without outside intervention,
we are doomed.

But Jesus, the sinless Son of God, responded to God's call to save us (John
3:16). At the right place, at the right time, Jesus provided the help that
we desperately needed. The "right place" was on a cross outside Jerusalem.
The "right time" was when Jesus died on the cross for our sins, paying the
price for our redemption with His own blood (Ephesians 1:7).

In order to receive the forgiveness of sins and the eternal life that Jesus
made available through His atoning sacrifice, we must place our faith and
trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts
17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized
(immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).

And if we'll "stay close to Him" by seeking to live according to His will,
He will never leave our side (Romans 8:35-39). His blood will continue to
cleanse us from sin as we continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John
1:7-9). He will stay with us until we reach our heavenly home.

When we desperately needed help, Jesus responded to God's call to save us.
Now, He longs for YOU to accept His salvation through your trusting
obedience.

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Twin sisters help save woman with medical
emergency on flight from Boston to Fort Myers, Florida" by Ashley Papa,
www.foxnews.com.

Danielle Maurer

That Name

 

There is something in a name.  Just ask Danielle Maurer. 

 

Maurer was a contestant on the TV game show Jeopardy on the episode which aired May 6, 2022.  Going into the final round, she had gained $11,400 with her ability to answer trivia questions.  She was behind the leader, Mattea Roach, by $7,800.  Roach had won 23 games in a row and had profited $560,983 in those games.

 

Now it was time for Final Jeopardy.  The topic was announced: “USA.”  Each contestant secretly made a wager and then the clue was given:

 

“These 2 mayors gave their names to a facility built on the site of an old racetrack owned by Coca-Cola magnate Asa Candler.”

 

After 30 seconds of deliberation, each contestant entered an answer.  The contestant with the lowest financial winnings, Betsy Hobbs, gave an incorrect answer losing $7,000 of her $7,400 earnings.  Maurer gave the correct answer, “Who are Hartsfield and Jackson?”  (These are the names included in the name of the international airport in Atlanta, Georgia.)  Maurer had wagered $4,200 bringing her total to $15,600.  Roach’s answer was incorrect.  She had risked $3601, so her final score was $15,599, only one dollar less than Maurer.  Maurer won the game by $1!

 

There is something in a name.  For Danielle Maurer, there was $15,600 in knowing just two names!

 

There is a name that is even more valuable.  It is the name of Jesus.

 

The name of Jesus represents His authority – all the authority of heaven and earth (Matthew 28:18).  His name encompasses His identity and everything He has done.  After Jesus accomplished what the Father wanted Him to do which culminated in His death on the cross for the sins of the world, “God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:9-11).

 

In the name of Jesus, there is found something much more valuable and eternal than all the money in the world.  In the name of Jesus, there is salvation (Acts 4:12) and eternal life (1 John 5:13).

 

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

 

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess His name before others (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  God will continue to cleanse from sin those who seek to honor the name of Jesus by walking in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7-9).

 

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

There’s just something about that Name.

Master, Savior, Jesus

Like the fragrance after the rain.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus

Let all Heaven and earth proclaim

Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,

But there’s something about that Name.

-- Bill & Gloria Gaither

 

Won’t YOU call on His name through your trusting obedience?

 

-- David A. Sargent

 

* Information gleaned from “Metro woman beats ‘Jeopardy!’ champ by $1 on question about Atlanta airport” by WSBTV.com News Staff.  Thank you, Gary Davis, for bringing this article to the author’s attention.

 

 

Henriette Juliane Caroline von Rüling, the wife of the Hanoverian state secretary Georg Ernst von Rüling and daughter of Georg Wilhelm von Willich, Vice President of the Higher Appeals Court

The Open Grave

Henriette Juliane Caroline von Rüling, the wife of the Hanoverian state
secretary Georg Ernst von Rüling and daughter of Georg Wilhelm von Willich,
Vice President of the Higher Appeals Court, died in 1782 at the age of 26.
Her family had a tomb constructed in the Garden Cemetery in Hanover,
Germany. It was built in the form of steps with massive stones. In
addition to the inscriptions about the deceased, these words were engraved
in the lower slab of the tomb: ""This tomb bought for eternity may never be
opened."

At some time after the tomb was completed, a birch seed fell into a crevice
and sprouted. The seedling kept growing until it became a tree. The tree
caused the massive stones of the tomb to be raised and split open. Despite
the claim of the engraved inscription was never to be opened, due to the
damage of the growing birch tree, the grave became known as "the Open Grave"
or "Burst Grave." *

This phenomenon illustrates what will happen when Jesus returns to this
earth. Jesus foretold what would happen to graves when He returns: "Do not
marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves
will hear His voice and come forth; those who have done good, to the
resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of
condemnation" (John 5:28-29). Graves – even the massive tombs of stone and
steel – will be opened and the dead shall be raised to meet the Lord in
judgment (Hebrews 9:27).

The guarantee of the general resurrection is the resurrection of Jesus from
the dead. Because the stone was rolled away and Jesus' tomb was found
empty, all graves will be opened when Jesus returns from heaven to judge the
world. "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the
firstfruits [the first of more to come] of those who have fallen asleep
[i.e. died]" (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Skeptics and unbelievers have sought to "explain away" the resurrection of
Jesus to no avail. The tomb was empty; Jesus was raised from the dead and
seen by many credible witness (1 Corinthians 15:5-8).

What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you and me?

It is the key to experiencing new life now. The death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus are the basis of the Good News, the Gospel. The
Apostle Paul wrote: "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and
that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Because Jesus died for our sins and
rose from the grave, He paid the price for our redemption from sin
(Ephesians 1:7). When we accept His offer of salvation from sin by placing
our faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), dying to the practice of sin in
repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before others (Romans 10:9-10),
and are baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38), we are raised from the watery
grave of baptism to a new life (Romans 6:3-4). Our sins are washed away by
His blood, His Spirit is given to us, and we are added to His family, the
church (Acts 2:38, 41). We are made new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians
5:17).

The resurrection of Jesus is also the key to eternal life. "For the wages
of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord" (Romans 6:23). Because of His own resurrection and the promises that
Jesus made, when Jesus comes again the dead in Christ will rise to meet the
Lord "and thus we shall always be with the Lord" (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

The empty tomb of Jesus is the ultimate "grave buster." Won't YOU accept
His offer of new and eternal life through your trusting obedience?

-- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from "Open Grave, Hanover" in Wikipedia.com.