Because of an Empty Tomb
By
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
John 20:11-18 “But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him. And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her”.
Matthew 28:6 says “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay”.
When think of the word empty according to the dictionary we understand it to mean vacant, unoccupied, uninhabited, untenanted, clear, free, bare, desolate, deserted, abandoned, containing nothing, without contents, unfilled, not filled, void. The dictionary says empty means containing nothing; not filled or occupied. The dictionary also says some synonyms are meaningless, aimless, worthless, useless, idle, vain, insubstantial. Therefore; when we look at it we come up with a negative concept. Empty is not a good thing when it comes to our bank accounts or to our gas tanks. Empty is not a good thing when it describes the condition of our soul. But it when comes to a tomb that's supposed to be full, containing the dead body of a man who claimed to be the Messiah, the Son of the living God, it is a good thing. It's a very good thing. Today I want to show you the blessings of an empty tomb.
Jesus’s death on the cross, His resurrection from the dead 3 days later, and ascension into heaven are all vital parts of what we celebrate today on what is called by many Easter but what is truly known as Resurrection Sunday. What is utterly amazing is with His death on the cross, Jesus paid the price for the sin of humanity. With His resurrection, Jesus conquered sin, death and the grave leading the way into eternal life. With His ascension Jesus is standing on the right hand of God making intercession for you and me.
I want to focus on this: - Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping – she was sad and in despair, she felt hopeless, helpless, discouraged, confused, and afraid. and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.
Then they said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? See they already understood what happened, they already understood the importance of an empty tomb, but Mary was dealing with her emotions. She remembered how the Roman soldiers enjoyed scourging Him, brutalizing Him, mocking Him, and humiliating Jesus publicly and she felt that they had desecrated the grave and stole His body and hid it or worse so she said to them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him”. She and the disciples had forgotten Jesus promise that He would rise again on the third day. Luke 24:5-8 states the angels asked, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still 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.’ And they remembered His words”
Verses 14-17 says “And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away. Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master”. She went from a state of not knowing what happened to Jesus, from being afraid, discourage, hopeless, helpless, sad to calling Him Master at the empty tomb.
Her outlook changed, her disposition changed, her fear was taken away, her sadness turned to joy unspeakable and full of glory where at an empty tomb.
The empty tomb has the power to change your life. The empty tomb has the power to give us hope. The empty tomb has the power to change this world.
Because of an empty tomb. And because of an empty tomb our lives can be full full of hope and full of joy, full of strength and full of purpose. It is so easy to let everyday struggles of life get you down and make you weary trust me I know. I know, that happens to all of us and if it hasn’t happened to you yet just keep living it will. But because of the empty tomb there is power to energize us and keep us moving on.
WATCH THIS: - if our hope is dependent on how our worldly life goes, we live as though Jesus were still in the grave. If our joy is founded in our wealth, status, success, or health, If you are sad, discouraged, depressed, confused, scared, feel hopeless, helpless, useless, desecrated, abused, unloved, lonely and lost then let me tell you that you don’t have to remain this way because of the empty tomb.
Because of an empty tomb you don’t have to search for dead things, because of an empty tomb you don’t have to be strung out on drugs, addicted to alcohol, sold out to sexual immorality. Because of an empty tomb you don’t have to struggle with your sexual identity. You don’t have to feel as though you are about to loose your mind. You don’t have to be confused.
Because of an empty tomb you don’t have to feel as though you need to commit suicide. Because when He rose from the dead all power in Heaven and Earth was in His hands, and because He rose from the dead and left an empty tomb, I can have hope for tomorrow. Regardless of what trials may come my way.
Because of an empty tomb I know that he walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrows way.
Because of an empty tomb I can be whatever I want to be. Because with Christ all things are possible.
Because of an empty tomb I am not guilty.
Because of an empty tomb I am not a failure – even if I have failed in the past.
Because of an empty tomb I can reach heights that at one time were impossible for me to reach.
Because of an empty tomb I am more than a conqueror.
Because of an empty tomb I can break the strongholds that once held me down.
Because of an empty tomb I know my prayers availeth much.
Because of an empty tomb I know I am somebody.
Because of an empty tomb I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil.
Because of an empty tomb my sins are forgiven.
You may be going through a situation in your life and it seems as though everything is dead. You don’t know how you’re going to make it and it may seem as though it will never live again, but today on this Resurrection Sunday if you just let Jesus rise in your heart He will turn your life around. He will give you a garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. He will give you beauty for the ashes of your life. He will give you the oil of joy for mourning. Sadness, depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, fear, and anxiety are destroyed - Because of an empty tomb. Will you let Jesus rise in your heart.
Because of an empty tomb You have the VICTORY.
Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr.
