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 The Empty Tomb (April 6, 2023)

“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.  But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.” (Luke 24:1-3)

Reflecting on the true meaning of Easter on this Maundy Thursday, one of the symbols of this holy season that I most cherish is the Empty Tomb from which our LORD Jesus Christ emerged victoriously on the third day following His brutal crucifixion. Having toured the Holy Land a decade ago, I visited the Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, considered by many to be the site of Christ’s burial and resurrection. I could not help but imagine the joy and excitement of the women who, according to all four of the gospels, discovered that Jesus had defeated death on that first Easter Sunday morning. The Cross was not a tragedy; it was a triumph, represented by the Empty Tomb that proclaimed Christ’s resurrection!

“Why do you seek the living among the dead?  He is not here, but is risen! (Luke 24:5-6)

As Christians, we have the paramount privilege of serving the risen Savior of the world! Unlike the founders of all other major world religions who remain dead and buried, Jesus Christ overcame death and conquered the grave. Our LORD lives! The empty tomb validates Christ’s claim to be the Son of God. Jesus’ resurrection proves that our faith is not in vain and gives us the assurance of spending eternity in our Redeemer’s presence in immortal, resurrected, glorified bodies just like His. Because of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, as saints (sinners saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ, we share Jesus’ victory over sin and death and delight in His promise of everlasting life. We will forever rejoice in Christ’s triumph over the Empty Tomb!

“Jesus said…“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.  And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (John 11:25-26)



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