The Tomb is Still Empty
The women, with spices in hand, chatted softly amongst one another as they hurried to the tomb, wondering whom they would employ to roll the massive stone from the opening. Daylight had not yet broke through the clouds to kiss the earth good morning, when they arrived.
Was the lack of adequate lighting manipulating their minds and skewing what they saw? For as they drew near to the place where their Savior was laid, it appeared the stone had already been moved. Mary ran her hand across the rough, porous rock that was off-set to the side of the burial mound. How can this be? she thought to herself.
Peering inside, several of the women gasped. The body was gone. They looked one to another in confusion and fright. Who would do such a thing? Why would someone take their beloved Rabbi?
While still in a daze with a dense fog of thoughts swirling through their minds, a brilliant light suddenly illuminated the inside of the grave site. The intensity of the beams were overwhelming and they fell to the ground and bowed their faces low to the dirt. Shaking with fear, tears began to fall, making small, damp puddles in the dust.
Mary bravely lifted her eyes in search of the source of the great light. Two men stood, with such dazzling white garments, she instinctively knew these were no ordinary beings.
“Do not be afraid” one of the men spoke. “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but He has risen! Do you not remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee? That the Son of Man must be given over into the hands of sinful men and be crucifed and on the third day rise?”
All the women were looking at the angels now, and their hearts burned within them as they remembered the teaching of their Master. Suddenly, things began to fall into place within their mind, and the truth the Messiah had been proclaiming, became clearer than ever.
“Go now and tell His disciples all you have seen and heard. He is risen from the dead and behold- He is going before you to Galilee. There you will see Him.”
As the magnificent light faded from the departure of the men, dawn was in full force, and yet, the sunrise seemed dull in comparison to what they had just witnessed. Glancing from face to face, it only took a moment for the joy to overtake the fear, even as they still was uncertain about all the events that had just happened.
The lips of Salome drew into a hard line, set with determination. “What are we waiting for ladies? We have been given instructions. Let us run and tell the others. He is alive!”
In their haste, they left their spices, and began to hurry back to town to notify Peter and the others what they had found. Mary glanced back over her shoulder one last time, just to make sure the tomb was still empty.
I have been contemplating many things this week post Resurrection Sunday. All the hustle and bustle of any holiday can inadvertently push the importance and genuine meaning of celebrations to the back burner.
It’s nothing intentional, mind you; just a typical side effect of annual traditions, beloved family festivities and general gayety of the season. Our minds can wonder far from heavenly relevance and remain focused on the earthly, tangible routines.
Forcing my gaze upward, I purposed in my heart to stay centered on the empty tomb just a little longer. It’s easy the weeks leading up to Easter. Beginning with Ash Wednesday, which starts the Lent season, if you choose to fast, you are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice every time your stomach growls or you are tempted to participate in the thing you have decided to abstain from for the next 40 days. This period of restraining yourself, can be observed by all denominations and should not be thought of as merely a Catholic tradition, but as a time to prepare your heart, draw closer to God and keep your mind fixed on the reason for your salvation.
As we draw closer to the big day, the week prior can become a blur of church activity.
You have Palm Sunday, where we celebrate Christ Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, with the masses crying “Hosanna! Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!”
Then there is Maundy Thursday- the night of the Last Supper. Here we are given the new command to observe this meal until Jesus returns. This is the origin of communion.
Next, we remember Good Friday. The betrayal, denial, false witnesses, mocking, beating, fake trial, crown of thorns and finally the crucifixion. Sorrow is heavy, but hope lingers in the air.
Sunday- We arrive to the big day. Dressed in our fresh, new spring best, we rejoice in our risen King and praise the Lamb Who was slain for the sins of the world. What a glorious day!
But what about the Monday after? Or Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and the next Sunday?
Are you still hyper focused on all the Lord has done for His people the next week?
Do you take extra time to contemplate on His sacrifice throughout your days the following month?
This is what I have been pondering. I want to be as intentional the whole year with my reverence to the King, as I am during the Easter season. I am planning on fasting periodically throughout 2026, and not reserve that merely for Lent. I want to be even more grateful and express my thankfulness during my prayer time to Christ for all He did for me.
I want to remain in awe and wonder, that the King of glory would choose to leave His throne, live a humble life on this Earth and die for my sins. My heart wants to soak in every scripture, learning more about my Rabbi and growing more like Him daily.
Who am I, that He would endure the Roman lash for me? Speaking not a word when He was mocked, spat on, beard pulled out and a crown of thorns crammed onto His head; every breath a struggle as He hung on the cross, naked and exposed, yet He sustained to the end.
I don’t want to take His love, kindness, grace, mercy and forgiveness for granted. I want to be reminded daily that He became sin, who knew no sin, so I could become the righteousness of God in Him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
Let me always marvel at the breaking off of my chains and the opening of my prison door. (Isaiah 61:1-3) May I never forget the sound of His voice as He called me out of darkness, and into His glorious light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Calvary wasn’t the ending- it was merely the beginning. It shifted all of history and changed man’s course for eternity, it changed my course for eternity. It pulled me out of the pit and set my feet on the Rock, and I will cling to and run to my strong tower daily.
May I praise Him more loudly, live for Him in all obedience and truth, tell others the good news of the gospel and never back down or turn asunder.
May I do all this and more, because…
The tomb is still empty!