Death comes to all differently. To some, it comes in a quick, sudden, unexpected way. Others experience death through short or long illnesses. Death can be violent or accidental, but death will occur to all (unless we are raptured!), and we do not know when. After the death of Jesus, I watched through the scriptures as Joseph of Aramathea had Him taken, prepared for burial, then placed in the tomb and sealed by a large stone. Inside a tomb it is quiet and dark. This is Jesus’ place for now.
Having walked from a burial and having watched others walking from a burial, I know there are many emotions in the hearts of those who are doing the walking. Grief, shock, numbness, exhaustion, anger, and even fear –“What will happen to me/us now?” The next days and weeks are roller coaster times for the family and friends of the dead. I can’t help but wonder what Jesus’ family and friends did and said. I saw Mary at the cross with John. I never read anything about His brothers…I guarantee they were in Jerusalem for the Passover. The disciples were scattered (but I have to believe they were nearby), and I do know what happened to Judas.
“Early on the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark” (John 20:1), all the gospels agree it was Sunday early, that women were going to Jesus’ tomb. They had spices to use on His body. When they arrived, the stone/boulder was removed and the tomb was empty. The first immediate reaction was that Jesus’ body had been taken. Each gospel speaks to an angel being there, grave clothes left behind, and an empty tomb. Each gospel says the women went back to tell the disciples what they had seen and experienced. Can you imagine being one of the women! What good news to ones who were still reeling emotionally from what had happened just days before! I wonder how quickly His brothers heard and how they felt. I am assuming Mary was with John because of the commitment made at the cross between Jesus and John to take care of Mary.
Jesus - Savior, Lord, Mighty God, Lamb of God, Prince of Peace, Son of Man…He is alive! He accomplished the task, the mission, the work God gave Him. The work of salvation. The work of reconciliation. The work of atonement. The work of obedience. ALL FOR ME/US. For thirty-three years, Jesus did what He was called to do. He did it perfectly and completely. Jesus’ resurrection enables me to have a resurrection day. I too shall live again. Life’s greatest enemy - death - has been defeated. I have good news! Good news to live and give!
The life of Jesus is more than a story. It is more than history. Jesus’ life is breath, strength, hope, peace, joy, and eternity to all who will embrace Him as Savior and Lord. I know because I have experienced that life! My life has been resurrected from the death of sin and made new!
“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ‘Don’t be alarmed,’ he said. ‘You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.’” Mark 16: 1-6
Hallelujah, what a Savior! He is risen, He is risen indeed!
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