Words by Scott McCullar | Image by Al Blanton
I can remember sitting on the floor watching the live television broadcast of Al Capone’s vault being opened on April 21, 1986. Geraldo Rivera hosted the event where thirty million people or so watched the unveiling of what could be inside the vault of one of the most notorious criminals in American history.
My eleven-year-old self was sure there would be tons of artifacts and clues, enough to keep historians talking and writing for generations. Alas, it was a big bust. The vault was empty. I recall being disappointed and feeling jilted for having spent two hours watching that nonsense.
But I also remember studying in school about the discovery of King Tut’s tomb. Howard Carter found the burial chamber of Tutankhamen over three thousand years after the boy king’s untimely death. There were thousands of amazing, priceless artifacts found in the tomb, but nothing more incredible than King Tut’s sarcophagus. What a find! There were layers to that coffin, including one made exclusively of gold! And Tutankhamen’s mummified remains were still there! Generations have read and been enraptured with all that was discovered in that king’s tomb.
However, the most incredible discovery in all of history is an empty room with few artifacts, decorations, or a body within. Yet, this empty room is not boring or disappointing like Capone’s empty vault. This empty room is not fascinating because of all the invaluable objects found inside – there weren’t any, save for strips of linen and the cloth around Jesus’ head. This room is phenomenal because the Savior of the world’s body was placed there on Friday and was gone by Sunday!
There were no graverobbers present at that tomb in Jerusalem. Instead, Jesus of Nazareth, whose body had been placed there, was the graverobber Himself! He had risen from the dead following a bloody and horrific crucifixion and was alive for all to see. Jesus took my sin and your sin upon Himself, died as a substitute for our rebellion and disobedience, and then rose again actually and physically, defeating sin, death, and Hell!
The great news is that since Jesus rose from the dead, all those who believe in Him will rise again one day, too! “Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’” (John 11:25-26)
Therefore, there is an empty vault that is not a disappointment and a room that is exciting because of what is missing rather than what is there. Rather than being fascinated by an exquisite golden tomb with a body laid inside, there is breathtaking joy from a near-barren slab in an empty tomb.
Praise be to the Lord! Jesus is alive from the dead!
“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.” (Revelation 1:18)
Praise to the Lord that I can call on the name of Jesus for forgiveness from sin, reconciliation to God, a purpose in the mission of the Gospel, and a home in Heaven! Hallelujah!
He is risen! He is risen indeed! WL
