by Tim Wesemann

Each year, the Christian church celebrates the resurrection of our Lord Jesus from the dead. Each person reading these words likely has a different perception of what Jesus’ tomb looked like. What has helped shape that image for you? Sunday school lesson leaflets? Sermons? Paintings? Greeting cards? Theological study? A visit to the Holy Land?

We learn from students of archaeology, history, and theology that in Jesus’ time tombs, especially those of the rich (like Joseph of Arimathea—Matthew 27:57–61), usually consisted of two chambers hewn into rock. Family and friends laid the body of the deceased in the first chamber as they prepared it for burial. The second, inner chamber then provided the final resting place.  

Shortly after Jesus died on the cross, a burial chamber hewn out of rock contained the body of the Rock of all ages. Because our Lord lay in a chamber cut into the heart of the earth and then rose to life again, the chamber of your heart can carry the certain hope of life now and life forever. 

What did heaven’s music sound like as Jesus’ body lay in that tomb? Were its instruments and voices silenced? Or did a message of hope echo off the chamber walls to fill heaven’s halls? 

Chamber music. That’s what I think it sounded like. Chamber music filled the chambers of Christ’s tomb and still plays on in the chambers of each believer’s heart. Traditionally, chamber music was written for performance in a small concert hall inside a palace; it was written for performance in a private room or small chamber inside the palace of a king or noble family. A chamber orchestra included only a few musicians, a trio or quartet, one player for each part. 

Music played in the chamber of a palace? Music appropriate for the palace of the King? Without question, Easter’s eternal song fits that description, wouldn’t you say? A trio of players, one for each part? Of course! Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! The Father sent Jesus into our sin-sick world to be our Savior. The Son willingly came in love to die for us. The Holy Spirit has led us to believe in this Savior and continually encourages us with the hope Jesus’ love has made possible.

Play on, song of grace! Continually fill the chambers of our hearts with the joyous music of triumph, of Jesus’ Easter victory! As Easter people we applaud heaven’s chamber music throughout the year! But Resurrection Day gives us a special reason for praise, celebration, and thanksgiving. 

As our Savior’s life flows through the chambers of our hearts, we joyfully give thanks for Jesus’ life and for the lives of those who walk through life here on earth with us. 

Play on, song of grace! Play on . . . until the chambers of every heart know heaven’s graceful tune of life! 

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