Graveyard Stories

Graveyards may be quiet places, but they are also places that speak words to those who go with listening ears, open hearts, and imaginative minds.  Graveyards are full of stories for those who will pause for a few moments in the quietness.  I remember one graveyard whose tombstones tell the story of a man who married three sisters with the last of the three outlasting him.  On a recent visit to a nearby cemetery to do some clean up, I ended up uncovering a couple of headstones telling me two veterans were resting beneath my feet.  And, of course, the markers that tell of a life ending almost as soon as it started spends its own story.

 

Jesus no doubt visited many burial places.  Tradition tells us his earthly father, Joseph, died too soon.  The New Testament tells us of Jesus' trip to the burial site of his friend, Lazarus.  And as sure as we know of a few, we know there were many.  Life is not lived without making those trips as friends and family finish the course of their lives.  But, of course, the most told graveyard story is the one which took place three days after Jesus' spent his last energies struggling with death of the cross of Good Friday.  Those who came to his grave on the day after the Hebrew Sabbath came to finish the burial preparation, but instead found a tomb that was empty.

 

We speak of that event as resurrection.  It is not to be confused with the story of Lazarus.  This friend of Jesus was brought back from the corridors of death to die again.  His body was miraculously restored.  With Jesus it was different.  It was not a restoration, but a resurrection.  Where as Lazarus died once, was restored, and had to die again, Jesus was resurrected from death to never taste death again.  The Word tells us it is a victory that we share with Him through our faith.  As He died and now lives, so shall those of us who die with faith in him.  As surely, as He lives, so shall we.  This is the greatest graveyard story in all of history and it is one which touches everyone of us.