From the earliest times to the present, humans have revered and made monuments of the
tombs of their loved ones, heroes and leaders. Jacob set a pillar on Rachel’s grave (Genesis
35:20). Nehemiah called Jerusalem the place of his fathers’ tombs (Nehemiah 2:3). In Hebron
an enclosure built by Herod the Great marks the traditional burial site of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob. The kings of Israel had an honored burial place still extant at the time of Jesus (Acts
2:29). The Pharaohs of Egypt built tremendous pyramids to serve as lavish tombs. The popular
religious party of Jesus’ day built and embellished the tombs of the prophets of Israel. The
Mughal Emperor Shah Tahan built the fabulous Taj Mahal to house the remains of his favorite
wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Since 1994, starting now at $2,495, you can have your cremated remains
or the remains of a loved one launched into outer space, even to the moon.
It has been natural for humans to enshrine the tombs of those they respect and love. However,
the original disciples of the greatest and most influential man that ever lived did not do the
natural thing. It was not until Queen Helena, visited Jerusalem in AD 326 that a burial site said
to be the one Jesus was interred was unearthed. During the reign of the queen’s son, the
Roman Emperor Constantine, the beginnings of a cathedral was built over the site.
Nearly 300 hundred years had elapsed before any serious consideration was given to making
Jesus’ burial site a shrine. What could possibly have caused this unprecedented and seemingly
impious oversight?
The failure to immediately make Jesus’ tomb a shrine was not because of the absence of those
who loved him. Jesus was loved by a considerable circle of close friends and disciples who,
under normal circumstances, never would have been guilty of failing to honor his tomb.
The gospels clearly mention that there were those who loved Jesus. Peter confessed his love
for Jesus. Lord, you know that I love you, he said. Earlier, when Peter denied even knowing
Jesus three times, one look from this man he loved brought him to bitter tears. Mary of Bethany
loved Jesus. She anointed him with expensive perfume (John 12:3). Mary Magdalene, who
followed Jesus’ crucified body to the tomb, loved Jesus deeply. Joseph of Arimathea, who
donated the new tomb for a decent burial, must have loved Jesus. Jesus told his disciples, the
Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God
(John 16:27).
The disciples were slow to believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Thomas, one of the Twelve
refused to believe the report of the resurrection unless he saw Jesus’ wounds of crucifixion.
Nothing would have pleased the enemies of Jesus and his disciples more than the honored
tomb of another dead prophet. The high court of Israel at the time was dominated by
Sadducees, who denied the possibility of resurrection. The high priest, Annas and Caiphas,
would have loved to have a tomb for Jesus instead of proclamation of his resurrection.
Everyone would have been happy with a shrine over the remains of Jesus.
Why did Jesus’ original disciples fail to honor the tomb? Because they knew that Jesus was not
there! Like Mary Magdalene, they could all say, I have seen the Lord!
The burial site was neglected because they knew that the tomb was empty.