An Empty Tomb

Have you ever played “What is wrong with this picture?” The above graphic would fit right in with the game. There are so many culturally incorrect items in the scene that we would come up with a long, long list. However, it does convey the thought for today:

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6 KJV)

That’s what sets this day apart from all others, and our Christian beliefs apart from all others. Yet, people ask the same question today as they did millennia ago:

Then said the high priest, Are these things so? (Acts 7:1 KJV)

That was asked in response to Stephen’s testimony about Jesus:

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen. And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. (Acts 6:8-10 KJV)

Aggressive actions create an adversarial situations – and this one turned very adversarial:

Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God. And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: For we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. (Acts 6:11-14 KJV)

Please remember, that same “Jesus of Nazareth” had died on the cross, His death designed by some of these same men. Why would discussions about a dead man be so difficult to debate? Because the rumors of His resurrection could not be put to rest. They continue today. The day after His death, possibly by these same men, concern was expressed and answered:

Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matthew 27:63-66 KJV)

They did. It didn’t work. He is risen – from the third day, forever more, He is risen. Angels confirmed it to the disciples:

He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (Luke 24:6-7 KJV)

Do not blame those who called for His death – they are long ago dead and gone, forgiven by Him. Do not blame those who still today call Him dead, no longer relevant nor required in today’s world, they are His concern.

HE IS RISEN! For that reason I will gather with like-minded believers on the first day of the week, creation day as well as resurrection day, to celebrate God’s gift to mankind – propitiated salvation.

Go ahead, ask me all about it! There is so much to tell.