He is Risen!
He is Risen!
Pastor Jim Quigley
Put yourself in the place of the women who went to Jesus’s tomb that Sunday morning. You are silently and mournfully heading to the tomb where your beloved Teacher has been laid to rest permanently—so you think. As the group is discussing how you will all move the huge stone at the mouth of the tomb, you see something that causes you to stop in your tracks. The stone has been rolled away already.
Filled with confusion and worry, you all hurry to the tomb only to find it...empty. Now everyone is really confused. Where did Jesus’s body go? Did someone steal it? Or move Him to a different tomb? As you all stand there perplexed and worried, something else incredible happens. Two men—in fact, angels—suddenly appear in the tomb with you wearing clothes that are blindingly bright.
So you do what any normal person would you—you fall down on your face in fear of these warriors of light. But as if their sudden appearance was shocking enough, they are about to reveal something even more wonderful and astonishing. With their powerful, angelic voice, they declare, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen!” (Luke 24:5-6).
You look up at these men in a stunned silence. Did these angels just tell us that Jesus is alive? And then suddenly, it all clicks. You remember how Jesus told you that the Son of Man must suffer, be rejected, be killed, and on the third day be raised from the dead (Luke 9:22). Jesus is alive! He has risen! He has conquered death itself!
Overwhelming happiness floods your heart despite the boat load of questions in your mind. You came to the tomb mournful and have left leaping for joy. Jesus has risen from the dead. This changes everything!
And indeed it does. Jesus really was raised from the dead. He really did conquer sin and death. And those who truly trust in Him will also be raised with Him to newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). A new life in which all of your sins have been forgiven, God’s wrath toward you has been appeased, and you enjoy a restored, reconciled relationship with God now and for all of eternity in heaven. Yes indeed, the fact that He is risen changes everything.
And so, do you believe that it happened? Or do you dismiss it as an idle tale?
Reflection:
- If you are a believer, then spend time rejoicing that Jesus rose from the dead, and give thanks to Him for purchasing your salvation. And then, tell someone who doesn't believe in Jesus how the empty tomb completely changed your life.
- If you are not a believer yet, then what doubts and difficulties are you still wrestling with? What fears are holding you back? Ask God to remove these obstacles and give you faith to believe. Ask a believer to help you with these things you are struggling with. Don’t wait one more day. Today is the day of salvation.