Okay, The Tomb Is Empty… So What

Okay, The Tomb Is Empty… So What

Video – Because Of Him

Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. By this gospel you are saved…

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also… - 1 Corinthians 15:1-7

Prayer

It was dark when they headed out early that Sunday morning... They got up and put on their garments grabbed the spices and headed out on the dirt road that lead out of the city.

AND – as journeyed down the road and as the sun began to rise the path was lined with many dark shadows... but no shadow or darkness could compare with the darkness that seemed to be hovering over and consuming their soul – ripping their through their minds like violent hurricane force winds.

YOU SEE - They had been there when Jesus rode in on the colt before thousands shouting his praises, what an incredible moment that was. But unfortunately both their minds and the events of last week didn’t stop there.

YEAH - try as they might they couldn’t stopped those other thoughts, those terrible scenes from playing out again and again in their minds.

They saw Jesus tied to a post a Roman scourge filled with broken pieces of pottery, glass and bones ripping across His back.

They saw - the purple robe -- the beatings, the cruel mocking and the crown of thorns… AND – as these images ripped through their minds the tears began to flow again.

They had seen it all -- they had seen Jesus, their teacher, their friend, their Lord they had witnessed everything that Jesus went through...

And these 2 women, these two Mary’s (Mary of Magdeala and Mary the mother of James) were there at the cross...

They saw Jesus hanging there on that rough cross of wood... they saw His body struggle and wince with pain with every breathe that he took... those 6 hours.

They were there when Jesus cried out, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI -- MY GOD MY GOD WHY HAS THOUGH FORSAKEN ME" -- and they saw his head fall as he cried, "IT IS FINISHED."

father into your hands…

They where there when Jesus died, and when he died they died to.. O’ they were still alive physically but their hopes and joy died on that cross with Jesus, Their Lord was dead... And their hope was gone.

SO WHY - are they doing up so early on this Sunday morning? WHY - aren’t they lying in bed wallowing in their misery...

WHAT - was it that drove them from their beds before dawn, and put them on this dark up hill climb.

UNDERSTAND - The thing that drove them, was their love for and devotion to Jesus -- someone had to prepare the body for burial and no one else had volunteered…

Peter didn’t, James didn’t, neither did John -- So it was up to these 2 faithful followers, 2 women who had never left the side of Jesus, -- it was up to them to do it, and they did..

The task they were going to preform was a somber task, a difficult task... They would be the ones, who would wipe the blood from the brow, from the legs, from the sides, They would be the ones, to clean the blood from the body of Jesus... they would be the ones, to remove the blood that had matted in his beard, They would be the last ones, to touch his face and close His eyes.

And as they were nearing the tomb -- suddenly a problem -- something they hadn’t thought of until now, entered their minds and they said to each other,

“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be afraid. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified.

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died.” - Mark 16:3-7