“But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay” Matthew 28: 5-6.The tomb from which Jesus rose was empty of his body but filled with hope that can transform our lives and circumstances.
The Jewish leaders wanted Jesus dead. They paid Judas to betray him; inveigled and manipulated the crowds to demand his crucifixion; and placed guards at the grave to ensure no one removed his body. However, when the women arrived at the tomb the stone was rolled away and Jesus’ body was not there. Physically the tomb was empty but from a spiritual perspective, it was full.
Generally, we associate “empty” with negativity. We speak derogatorily when we say “empty promises” or “empty head”. However, emptiness can signify success, achievement, hope and promise. An empty prison means the prisoners are free; an empty nest means the birds have grown and flown away; an empty hospital bed could mean the sick person is well enough to be discharged.
The resurrection of Jesus is victory over death and the grave, and an affirmation that nothing is impossible for God. Easter is about overcoming the grimness of the grave and hopelessness of life. The “empty” tomb signified for Jesus and the entire human race, a tomb “filled” with power, hope, and freedom from death. It continues to inspire the hope of forgiveness in broken relationships; peace in a broken world; assurance in the midst of doubt; success in the heart of failure and heaven in the face of death. This hope is centered in the person of Jesus Christ (see Psalm 39.7 and Psalm 71.5).
The crucifixion and death of Jesus drove his followers into a downward spiral of hopelessness. The men going to Emmaus told the person who joined them that they had hoped that Jesus was the one who was going to redeem Israel” Luke 24:21. The empty tomb added to their sense of hopelessness. Mary was so overwhelmed with grief and hopelessness that she began crying (see John 20: 13-15).
The spirit of hopelessness constantly threatens to overwhelm us. Contemplating the many difficulties we face as individuals, church and country often leads to the temptation to give up, throw in the towel and believe that there is no possibility of seeing any light at the end of the tunnel.
Easter is a powerful reminder that the Tomb is Empty because the awesome and creative power of God is able to do more than we can ask or think. God can bring light out of darkness, and hope out of despair. God is not asking us to become the eternal optimist but to be a “prisoner of hope”.
We do not have to settle for things the way they are, or surrender to despair. God is always working on our behalf to bring life out of death.
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