He lives!

Last night as I was lying in bed, trying to fall asleep, I was randomly very aware of my heartbeat. And as I listened to it for a minute, I was struck by the thought that when Jesus arose, he arose also in body. That's probably very obvious, and most of you have thought of it before, but I've never really reflected on the physical aspect of his resurrection. The body was gone. It was the same body he'd had before even though it had been dead for 3 days. So, I grabbed a pen and paper, and this is what came out. Forgive any theological incorrectness and unpolishedness, but I wanted to post today.


Come with me to that Sunday morning in Jerusalem long ago. Step into a new tomb, sealed only 3 days ago. The guards can’t see us, and the rock isn’t a barrier right now. Just sit here next to the body of the man they called Jesus. It’s very still. The tomb is completely dark except for the torch we brought. Hold it over the body and watch as history unfolds.

At first, absolutely nothing is happening. Then suddenly, as you strain against the void of all noise, you make out the faintest, most indistinct sound, a thump. You lean a little closer to the body, and sure enough, there it is again, near the chest. Thump, this time louder. The sounds come more regularly now, and you realize with astonishment: it’s a heartbeat! That’s when you see his chest and stomach rise ever so slightly. Holding your fingers to the body’s face, you can just make out the slightest warmth of air as the corpse exhales. Thump. The lungs fill with air again, the stinky, dank air of a 3-day old tomb.

The linens, initially cold to the touch, begin to feel warmer as well as looser. It’s fairly obvious by now that the body is breathing. At the same time, you notice a little trembling in his fingers and toes as muscles come back awake. Soon other muscles are flexing, stretching, and shaking off the stiffness after 3 days of no use. Clearly you’re standing at the opposite end of the tomb by now, watching in amazement. In one great exhaling breath, the linens seem to collapse inward onto themselves as the body simply slips out of them. And in dazzling white clothes that light up the entire interior, Jesus Christ – God himself – stands before you, very much alive!