Holy Easter! The Tomb is Empty! It’s Resurrection Day!

In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.

And the angel answered and said to the women, Fear not: for I know that you seek Jesus, which was crucified.

He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

— Matthew 28:1-6

Wait. What? Talk about a serious case of whiplash – an emotional rollercoaster of the week now taking another sharp turn. Talk about going from the happiness of Palm Sunday to the shock of turning the tables in the Temple to the inspiration and curiousness of the Last Supper to the horror of beatings, crucifixion and death now to the joy of life.

The BIble teaches the two Marys – Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” – took spices to the tomb very early on the morning after the Sabbath. Their intention was to, basically, embalm Jesus’ body. Along the way, they might have been discussing how they would get the Roman soldiers to move the stone out of the way so they could do what they were going to the tomb to do.

When they arrived at the tomb, the Roman soldiers were no where to be found, and the stone?

The stone had already been rolled away. I’ve heard it said the stone was not just rolled away but “blown” away – like a burst of energy blew it away from the entrance to the tomb.

Matthew says, “behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.“

In any case, the heavy stone – that is estimated to have weighed 3 to 4,000 pounds, or more – was moved away.

The women entered the tomb to find Jesus’ burial cloth lying at the place where He had been laid the Friday night before – after His crucifixion. Many believe this to be the well known “shroud of Turin” that so many have discussed and researched through the years.

But, no Jesus.

The angel of the Lord said to the women, “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.“. Then, the angel instructed them, Matthew 28:7-10, “And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goes before you into Galilee; there shall you see Him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell My brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see Me.“

In the days and weeks to follow, hundreds would see Him very much alive.

Paul wrote, 1 Corinthians 15:4-8, “And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas [Peter], then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren all at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep [died]. After that, He was seen of James [Jesus’ half-brother]; then of all the apostles. And last of all He was seen of me [Paul, a convert who was formerly known as Saul] also, as of one born out of due time.“.

On the cross, Christ declared, “It is finished”, Tetelestai. The battle was over. The tomb is empty. Christ has risen. Many hundreds were witness to that. The battle has been won. And, as Christ promised, He is returning for us – one day. Perhaps sooner than anyone realizes.

As John wrote, “[Jesus said] He which testifieth these things says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” — Revelation 22:20.

He is risen, Christ is risen, He is risen indeed! Amen! Come Lord Jesus come. Hallelujah!

Because He lives, blessings.