When our family toured Israel a few years ago, we visited a museum filled with Jewish antiquities. In the museum’s section from the time of Christ, we saw items belonging to Herod and Pilate, including their “bone boxes.” These were boxes made out of stone that were used to keep the bones of these leaders who lived at the time of Christ. You may remember that these two men interviewed Jesus to find reasons to crucify him. Luke 22 tells us that Herod had wanted to see Jesus do some kind of sign (v.8) and when he did not, he sent him to Pilate. John 19 describes Jesus being brought before Pilate, where he sat at the judgment seat (v.13). In our tour of Jerusalem, we went underground to where that place had been excavated. I stood in the same place where Jesus stood before Pilate that night and I could not help but weep in both sorrow and gratitude. Though Pilate did not find that Jesus had violated any law, he yielded to the demands of the people and handed him over to be crucified (Luke 22:25).
What stood out to me at the museum as I looked at these “bone boxes” is that there is not one for Jesus. While these two men of great power and authority—Herod and Pilate—who ruled and executed judgement in their day, they eventually breathed their last breath and were buried. The King of Kings, the One they crucified, does not have a “bone box,” for the grave could not hold him. He rose again and now reigns on high. That’s why Easter Sunday is the apex of the Christian calendar. Jesus’ resurrection is what makes his death accomplish atonement for sin. Had he not risen, we would still be dead in our sins.
As the Apostle Paul wrote:
But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Cor. 15:13-14, 17-19).
I once had a professor in college who always preached of Christ’s life, death, resurrection, and ascension. Every sermon, no matter the passage, culminated in what Christ had done. Too often, when we think of the gospel, we zero in on the crucifixion—on Jesus’ sacrifice for sin. But that’s not the complete picture. Anyone can die for another person, but only the perfect and righteous Son of God can take on the sins of his people and then rise again from the grave. Only Christ can ascend into heaven and rule over all creation. And only Christ will return in judgement at the last day.
As we celebrate what our Savior came to do for us this weekend, let us rejoice in the truth of the resurrection for without it, we are without hope. Celebrate the wonder and glory that Jesus has no “bone box.” He reigns in heaven and will return again in glory. Maranatha, Lord Jesus!
