Scripture: “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” – Matthew 28:6
Examination: The account of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is in all four of the gospels. In Matthew’s writing, we read of the women who came to anoint the body and were greeted by an angel proclaiming the glorious truth that Jesus was not there. He was alive!
Application: Since the women who came to the tomb of Jesus had spices with which to anoint the body, we can surmise that they did not expect to find a risen Christ. Upon arrival at the gravesite, they are met by an angel who asks the question in Luke 24:5, “Why seek ye the living among the dead?”
Jesus had repeatedly spoken of His resurrection, but the reality of it had not remained with His followers. No one rushed to the grave on that third day to welcome Him back from the dead. No one planned a party when He returned to them alive. Their expectation was to find a lifeless body within a dark, cold tomb. Despite all they had seen and been told by Jesus, many still doubted His resurrection as recorded in the Bible.
Mary thought a gardener had removed the body.
- “She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.” – John 20:15
Peter wondered what had happened.
- “Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.” – Luke 24:12
Thomas refused to believe without proof.
- “But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.” – John 20:25
Still other followers doubted.
- “And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.” – Matthew 28:17
Eventually, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection was undeniable, and His closest followers became powerful leaders of the early church. The resurrection proved that everything Jesus said about Himself was true. He is the Son of God and the Saviour of the world!
Both the Scriptures and historical accounts state that Jesus was crucified AND that He was resurrected. Eyewitnesses saw Jesus alive, talking, eating, teaching, etc. repeatedly for forty days after His resurrection and before His final ascension to His Father in heaven. Referring to Jesus, Luke wrote in Acts 1:3, “To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” Additionally, Paul wrote that Jesus spoke to a group of 500 at one time after the resurrection, “After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:6).
The resurrection is one of the key differences between Jesus and other major religious figures. If you wanted to visit the graves of some of the most well-known religious leaders, you would find them in the following places:
- Muhammed’s body is buried in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
- Confucious’ body is buried in Qufu, China.
- Buddha’s cremated remains are enshrined in eight different locations in India.
- If you want to see Jesus’ body in its final resting place, you cannot do so for there is no body in the tomb. It is empty!
Because of His great love for you and me, Jesus endured the unimaginable on the cross and in the grave to pay for our sins and purchase our salvation. He desires a personal relationship with each one of us and offers forgiveness of sins to anyone who calls upon Him for salvation. Romans 10:13 states, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” As sinners, we need a Saviour. That Saviour is Jesus.
Because He lives, I am assured that I will live also! Hallelujah! What a Saviour!
Memory Verse: “Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” – John 11:25
Stretching your thoughts:
1. Do you have a time in your life when you called upon Jesus to forgive your sins become your Lord and Saviour? If not, you can do that today! He’s waiting for you with outstretched arms!
God sent His son, They called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, Heal and forgive;
He lived and died To buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there To prove my Savior lives!
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow!
Because He lives, All fear is gone.
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living, Just because He lives!
(from “Because He Lives” by Bill and Gloria Gaither)