DEVOTION//A tombstone's Easter testimony

Last September, Pastor Pete Panitzke posted a video blog post that featured the tombstone of Christ Peters, a member of his congregation who was welcomed into heaven almost 110 years ago. (You can see the video at St. Paul's Devotions - September 30th).

The member, Christ Peters, has left an enduring testimony to his faith in Jesus and to the assurances that his resurrection ensures.

Peters' epitaph is from a German hymn. Translated it reads:

[Jesus,] In yourself, you will clothe me,

Your innocence will be seen,

So that I am clean from all sin

And can stand before God.

How can this hymn speak with such confidence about our place in heaven? Our Savior's resurrection is the reason. Jesus’ empty tomb guarantees our fully accepted status in God's presence.

St. Peter writes, "By his great mercy he gave us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an inheritance that is undying, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:3,4).

Because of Jesus' resurrection, we are assured that Christ Peters' epitaph speaks eternal truth.

• We are clothed in Christ's holiness.

  • Revelation 7:9, After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands.

• We are innocent before our holy God.

  • Ephesians 5:25-27, Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her… so that he could present her to himself as a glorious church, having no stain or wrinkle or any such thing, but so that she would be holy and blameless.

• We are cleansed of all sin.

  • Revelation 19:7,8, Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory, because the wedding of the Lamb has come. His bride has made herself ready, and she was given bright, clean, fine linen to wear. (In fact, the fine linen is the “not guilty” verdicts pronounced on the saints.)

• We are empowered to stand as fully accepted children in the Father's presence.

  • Romans 5:1,2, Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we also have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand.

On this Easter Wednesday, take a moment to praise your risen Savior that these guarantees belong to you.

In yourself, you will clothe me,

Your innocence will be seen,

So that I am clean from all sin

And can stand before God.