Jesus prophesied unequivocally that he would be killed and would rise on the third day, Mark 8:31; 9:31. Truly, Jesus rose on the third day from his tomb and there was overwhelming proof that he rose from the dead. He did not continue in the grave because the grave could not hold him.
The empty tomb
The angel(s) replied, Mary Magdalene and the others with her, he is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. … he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. Lo, I have told you, Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6-7. Jesus lived up to his word. He has control of his life, he lays it down and takes it back as and when he wants, John 10:17-18. He has the keys of death and Hades, Revelation 1:18. He says whoever believes in him though he dies, yet shall he live and whoever lives and believes in him shall never die, John 11:25-26. Jesus assures us to be faithful unto death and he will give us the crown of life, Revelation 2:10. Will we be the first to announce to others that Jesus has risen and that the tomb is empty?
The proof Jesus has risen
There is overwhelming evidence that Jesus resurrected and left an empty tomb. When Mary Magdalene and the others ran quickly from the empty tomb out of fear and great joy to tell the disciples of the good news, Jesus met them and confirmed same, Matthew 28: 9-10. He also appeared to Mary Magdalene from whom he cast out seven demons, Mark 16:9. He appeared to the two, one of them being Cleopas on their way to the village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, Luke 24: 13-31. On that same evening, when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you”, John 20:19. Eight days later he appeared again when Thomas was with the disciples, John 20:26. These are factual evidence or proof. There are many more proofs which fall under biblical accounts.
Why the empty tomb?
The empty tomb shows that Jesus is the first and last and we cannot begin or end without Jesus. Jesus’ mission or his church cannot be vanquished or stopped by the machinations of mortal men. No security apparatus can mute the voice of God. God’s angels are the guardians of truth and they pronounced it as such. The triumphant Jesus is Lord over anything dead in our lives and by his resurrection, we are not only victors with him but that every dead thing in or about us shall be made alive if we believe and have faith in him. Jesus thus brought to an end our humiliation, pain, shame, suffering, injuries, tears, failures and eternal death without redemption. We can now approach the throne of grace willingly.
Paul says “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? 1 Corinthians 15:55. Why then do we fear death? Paul says whether he lives or dies, he belongs to God, Romans 14:8. Christ has risen and our risen Lord reigns for ever and ever and to God be the glory now and forever more. Because Jesus has risen, Paul says we should be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might, Ephesians 6:10. We should not entertain any threat of weakness or inadequacy anymore because the risen Lord has perfected our weaknesses.
He says in Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things in him who strengthens me. Mary Magdalene and the others lacked this faith when they thought about how to roll away the tomb stone. He prays that may you be strengthened with power, Colossians 1:11. He says further that the Lord who is faithful will strengthen you and guard you from evil, 2 Thessalonians 3:3. Do we still feel inadequate, handicapped or inferior in any circumstances with the risen Christ? We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus through him who loved us because of his death and resurrection, Romans 8:37.
Bribery for lies
Jesus’ assailants knew he would truly rise on the third day as he assured them so they requested to beef up the security to prevent any possible theft of his body. Any theft would have incensed the public upon deceit that he has risen, Matthew 27:63-66. However upon coming to the truth that Jesus had risen, they conspired to bribe the people with money to lie that Jesus had been stolen, Matthew 28:11-15. These orchestrations did not resonate because the truth and evidence were without dispute. No bribes or lies can change God’s narrative of the truth that Jesus had resurrected from the tomb.
Jesus wore a new body upon his resurrection, John 20:17. It was impervious to physical barriers including walls or doors, etc. It was the body he had at the transfiguration with Moses and Elijah, Matthew 17:2; Mark 9:2-3; Luke 9:29. No physical security presence could obstruct Jesus from coming out of the tomb or fulfilling God’s plan according to scripture. Gamaliel said when the disciples were being persecuted after Jesus, you cannot overthrow God and you might even be found opposing God, Acts 5:39. Lies have no place in the scheme of God’s plan and it will not succeed with Jesus.
Jesus went before his disciples to Galilee, his operational base where they would receive his peace, blessing, renewed faith and his Holy Spirit. The time and place was Jesus’ own choosing. We cannot dictate to God for he knows what is best for us. Ours is to obey and that is all God requires of us. In our case, Jesus wants to meet us in our hearts. Let us be ready and obedient to meet him for his assignment for us. He knows the way and the future better than us. CHRIST JESUS HAS RISEN! HALLELUJAH!!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, let your resurrection revive all that is dead in our lives. Let us receive you with the eagerness of Mary and others. Let us be obedient to your instructions so we can see you again. Let us not give in to lies but to be true and faithful. Transform our lives so we may be impervious to sin, Amen!!
