I’ve stood by the side of many graves over the years. Most pastors do at one time or another.

We help other families and loved ones say their final goodbyes.

But then sometimes we are part of the families that are saying farewell.

When I was in the fourth grade, the Dezotell family gathered at my father’s graveside, and I remember my 9-year-old heart was broken when we said our farewells.

In 2010 we stood at my mother’s graveside in North Dakota as she was laid to rest.

In 2011 we stood at Lynn’s father’s graveside in Alabama as we said goodbye to him.

And then in a matter of a few years, we stood at Lynn’s mother’s grave and said farewell.

Several years ago, I stood at the graveside of one of my best friends in Virginia and thought about the song that we all sang at his funeral: “O, when the saints go marchin’ in. O, when the saints go marchin’ in. O Lord, I want to be in that number, when the saints go marchin’ in.”

Several years ago, I walked through a pretty and peaceful country cemetery, holding the arm of a grieving widow as we headed to the open grave where her husband was to be laid that one last time.

Several times since then I returned, just looking at the gravestones of people I helped to bury, and others that I didn’t have the privilege to meet.

For me, cemeteries are peaceful places. They are usually set aside from the hustle and bustle of life. They are generally a quiet place where loved ones can go and remember and rest and reflect.

Over the years I have seen more and more benches placed near graves for people to stop, sit and pray by the side of their loved-one, gone but not forgotten. I love those benches. I love the memories.

Every time I’d visit my hometown in North Dakota, I would make a trip out to the cemetery to visit my father’s grave. The cemetery sits between a busy highway on the north, and a quiet residential neighborhood to the south. It’s a peaceful place.

Many times, I’ve stood under that tree where Dad is buried, and I’ve thought about the few years we had together.

I was just 9 years old when my father died. I’ve stood there and told him about my wife and my children that he never got to meet; and I’ve told him about the ministries that I’ve been a part of.

My mother is buried under that tree next to my father now. And later this year when I visit Grand Forks I suppose I will go and talk to them both.

Now, I know they are not there in those graves, but it is a nice place to visit, to file through memories, and to pay my respects to the ones who gave me life, and the ones who led me on the path to eternal life.

One unforgettable day in 2017, I was able to stand at the Empty Tomb in Jerusalem, Israel, where Jesus the Christ was laid to rest for just three world-changing-days.

Standing there at the tomb that my Savior vacated on that first Resurrection Morning, watching people, one after another, bow down and go into the empty stone room; all I could think was, “Folks, He is not there! He is Risen!”

No casket, no bones, just an Empty Tomb.

Jesus the Christ has conquered death!

I know my parents have gone on to Heaven to be with Jesus, and I look forward to joining them one day.

There’s an old song about the grave that I enjoy singing. It goes like this:

Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down; There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. When I hear that trumpet sound I’m gonna rise right out of the ground; Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. Well, look way over yonder, and what do you think I see I see a band of angels and they’re coming after me Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. Well, look down yonder, Gabriel, put your feet on the land and sea; But Gabriel, don’t you blow your trumpet, until you hear from me. There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. Well meet me, Mother and Father, Meet me down the river road; And Mama, you know that I’ll be there when I check in my load Ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down. There ain’t no grave gonna hold my body down.

(The original song was penned by Claude Ely in the 1930s.)

The Apostle Paul wrote the following words of encouragement to one of his churches: (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)… 13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those

who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.

I hope you will gather together with others tomorrow morning, Resurrection Sunday, and worship the Risen Lord. He is coming again!

Come, Lord Jesus! Come!