Let God Speak #31: Why An Empty Tomb?

Matthew 28:5-6, “The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”

Why an empty tomb?

You’ve seen Death, right? I mean Death with a capital “D.” He wears a black robe, pulls a hood over his face, carries a sickle, and… is usually a skeleton. A cartoon might picture Death in such a way. This frightens children. …and me, to be honest! The real Death, however, frightens everyone: both rich and famous, both powerless and poor. Death is the great equalizer, the last word, incurable, unstoppable. Everyone is equal before him.

Until Jesus came. The empty tomb tells the story of Jesus. God himself became a man. Jesus suffered sickness, hunger, and weariness. On the cross, he fought with Death itself. Once again, Death had the last word; Jesus was buried in a tomb.

But the tomb couldn’t hold him. On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead. The tomb stood, open and empty, and proclaimed, “Death is destroyed, your sin is atoned for, and eternal life flows to all humankind!”

What does this mean for you? Because of Jesus, you will rise from the grave. You will look upon your tomb, and it will be empty. You will say, “This is where I once lay.” Then you’ll turn and walk into paradise with Jesus.