Yesterday, in a vivid split second, I saw my heart as the tomb where Jesus was laid after his crucifixion. Out of this came today’s rather mysterious, ambiguous dialogue. The vision was completely silent, so it was exceptionally difficult to put into words. The last two lines are spoken by Christ.
Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there (John 19:40-2; NLT).
I saw that my mind is the tomb
Where Our Lord was conveyed.
Will you rise from the dead there,
To pray for the people I meet?
I saw that my heart is the tomb
Where our Saviour was laid.
Will you rise from the dead there,
To love every person I greet?
I saw that my soul is the tomb
Where our Master was sealed.
Will you rise from the dead there,
To shepherd my steps on your way?
I saw that my flesh is the tomb
Where Christ Jesus was healed.
Will you rise from the dead there,
To serve me in others today?
Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NIV).
References
Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light (the Ephesians 5:14; NLT).
They sealed the tomb and posted guards to protect it (Matthew 27:66; NLT).
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them (2 Corinthians 5:15; NLT).
Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17; NLT).
Those who die in the LORD will live; their bodies will rise again! (Isaiah 26:19; NLT).
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:28; NLT).