The Empty Tomb

Matthew 28:1–10
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On Sunday about dawn, a group of women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, Joanna, and others went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body (v. 1). As they approached, an earthquake occurred, and an angel rolled away the stone from the door of the tomb (v. 2). The stone was not rolled away so Jesus could come out (for He already left the tomb) but so that the people could see that the tomb was empty. Jesus did exactly what He had repeatedly said He would do. This is God’s way, always. We can count on His promises and build our lives on them, for He always does just what He says. These believers went through three basic stages of experience:

1. They thought He was dead (v. 1). It wasn’t because Jesus had not taught them on many occasions that He would rise from the dead (Matthew 16:21; 17:23; 20:19; 26:32;). It is just that they failed to believe Him. The world believes that Jesus died, but the world does not believe that He rose from the dead.

2. They heard that He was alive (v. 2_8). One of the angels spoke to the women and calmed their fears telling them Jesus had risen. The empty tomb was proof that He had risen. If He had not risen He would have been a deceiver and unworthy of further devotion.

3. They met the living Christ personally (v. 9_10). As the women were on their way to tell the disciples what had happened, suddenly Jesus met them. He repeated the same message the angel had previously given to not be afraid. He also told them to tell the disciples that He would appear to them in Galilee.

Application

“Come and see” was followed by “Go and tell!"  Just as the angel sent the women to tell, I must not keep the Resurrection news to myself. Who can I share the Gospel with this week?