A Strange Burial

 •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Memory Verse: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:1515This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)
In a San Francisco cemetery not long ago a young man, killed in a motorcycle accident, was buried. There was nothing uncommon about that, but what made it a most unusual burial was that his motorcycle on which he was riding when killed was buried with him.
His sobbing mother explained that “It was his whole life!”
It is sad when a young life is snuffed out so quickly, but sadder still that a whole life should have been wrapped up in a motorcycle.
We also read recently of a lady who gave instructions that her car should be buried with her when she died. She, too, passed away and her dying wishes were carried out.
What a strange collection of burial pieces our cemeteries would contain if this practice were followed widely! One grave would contain golf clubs, fishing poles, and perhaps season tickets to all the baseball, football, basketball and hockey games. Another might have pictures of TV and theatrical celebrities; another stocks and bonds; another, a car or boat; and still another a guitar. One grave might perhaps contain a library of books.
We wonder how many Bibles would be buried. Dear reader, if you passed away and were buried with that which meant the most to you during your life, what would it be? What constitutes “your whole life"? Is it that which has brought you the sunshine of the smile of God’s approval?
When the Lord Jesus, the Son of God, was here upon earth, His disciples remembered that it was written of Him, “The zeal of Thine house hath eaten Me up.” (Psa. 69:99For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me. (Psalm 69:9); John 2:1717And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. (John 2:17).) Again He could say, “My meat is to do the will of Him that sent Me, and to finish His work.” (John 4:3434Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34).)
Moses could say to Caleb of old, “thou hast wholly followed the Lord” (Josh. 14:99And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord my God. (Joshua 14:9)); and in a later day one who knew the grace of God as perhaps none other, wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21).)
For the Christian, when death comes, the spirit goes to be with Christ there to enjoy the bliss of His presence eternally. The body is laid to rest in the grave to await the glorious resurrection morning when spirit and body shall be reunited in a new body of glory just like that of Christ now to be caught up together with all saints and dwell with Him forever.
But to the unbeliever who dies in his sins will come the resurrection unto judgment (John 5:28,2928Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. (John 5:28‑29)), the great white throne—“from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away.” “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20;11:15.)
In the Gospels we read of many who became followers of Jesus, the lowly, despised Son of God-poor fishermen of Galilee, Levi and Zacchaeus the tax collectors, Luke the beloved physician, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea from among the wealthy, poor blind Bartimaeus the beggar, and countless thousands since from among the Gentiles. Then we read of vast companies who in a coming day will “have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb” (Rev. 7:13-1713And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 17For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. (Revelation 7:13‑17)) and “these follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth” (Rev. 14:44These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Revelation 14:4)).
There is no greater joy and privilege this side of heaven than to be saved through the blood of Jesus and to be a follower of Him down here on earth while waiting for that moment of all moments when He shall come and take His own Home to those mansions of eternal love. (John 14.)
ML-04/22/1979