"The
story begins on Easter Sunday in spring of 2004... I was sitting in Helen
1st Baptist Church in Helen, Georgia, listening to Pastor Jim
Holmes’ sermon."But Pastor Jim emphasized that the cross was NOT the end of The Story!
The story culminated on the third day when Jesus – in Power, Victory and Glory rose from the dead!
At this point in the sermon, Pastor Jim’s face radiated the wonder and the miracle of the Resurrection. Jesus is Alive – The stone rolled away! And because He lives, we can live if we believe.Then Pastor Jim looked out over the congregation, imploring no one in particular “I see Crosses everywhere! Where is the symbol for the greatest Victory of all time?! Where is the symbol for the gift of Everlasting Life? Where is the symbol for the Resurrection?? I wish some designer somewhere would make a tie-tack pin or something to celebrate the joy and excitement of Easter morning! I want something new; something that means Jesus is Alive now!”
That sermon, that request, spoke to my heart and stayed with me. A few weeks later, during my devotional time, a design concept came to me and I sketched it in my Bible. As a jewelry designer, I believed there had to be a way to symbolize what Pastor Jim was talking about. I felt inspired to design this symbol.
For over a year and a half, I worked and reworked the
design, making hundreds of sketches and variations while
praying for God’s direction. I researched everything
that I could find relative to the Resurrection and the
tomb of Jesus. I consulted repeatedly with Pastor Jim
for the right scriptures and Greek translations. The
design you see now is the one I believe God led me to
create.
It is my sincere hope and prayer that “The Open Door to
An Empty Tomb” symbol will give believers another way to
outwardly express their faith.
Because it’s new, when people see it, they will ask you what it is and what it means. Then this symbol will open the door for you to share your belief in Jesus. His miraculous birth, His perfect life, His sacrificial death, and most importantly, His Resurrection."
TCB 2005
