On that Holy, sacred Friday morning, the people watching the crucifixion scoffed at Jesus saying, “let Him save himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!. The roman soldiers mocked him, “if you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” Jesus was mocked, over and over. Then on Sunday morning, as Mary came to the empty tomb on that first day of the week, she saw that the stone had been removed, and her Lord was no longer there. Peter and the other disciples rushed to the tomb, saw the linen cloths lying there in the tomb. The clothes, the head wrapping, all laying their folded in place. They were beginning to understand what Jesus had been teaching them. The Scriptures were opening up for them.
Mary stood outside that empty tomb; For a brief moment, Mary stood crying. Crying, emotional, filled with pain thinking Jesus was no longer with her; that he was not there. But soon Mary would understand, become quickly clear. The power of Jesus is with us always; always by our side, and in our hearts. A power beyond our comprehension; but at the same time, filling our hearts and minds.
2 angels appearing before her. “He is not here,” they said. “He is risen!” They proclaimed. Then Mary turned around, and saw Jesus. “Why are you crying,” Jesus asked of her. Then Mary saw clearly, her heart was opened. In that moment, Mary went from being more sorrowful than she had ever been, to being filled with an exuberant, ecstatic joy as she clung to Jesus thinking only that she does not want to lose Him again. Mary clung to him out of pure love for Her Lord and Savior.
But Jesus assures her, “Don’t cling to me,” because I am ascending to My Father, and your Father; My God and your God. Go now Mary; go now to your brothers and sisters.
She went to the others, barely able to contain her joy, her peace, her love and excitement. “I have seen the Lord!” She shouted to them. Jesus has risen!
On that Sunday morning, Jesus rose in triumph. Jesus defeated death. Jesus defeated death to save us. Those who believed and will believe and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior. The King of kings; Lord of lords. The author and perfecter of our faith. Jesus, in the ultimate act of humility, became God in human flesh, having never sinned, took on our sin, bore our sins on the cross, and rose in complete victory over the burden of sin. Mary, Peter, and the other disciples witnessed that morning the culmination of redemptive history. The greatest moment in human history. Jesus took our burden of sin, for his burden is light. Jesus took our sin; so that we could be with him for eternity.
Without the resurrection, their is no Christianity, no atonement for sin, no salvation. The empty tomb declared that God accepted the perfect sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our sin was atoned for, death was conquered, eternal life is available to all those who believe.
Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” That morning they arrived at the empty tomb, sin and death were defeated. And those who confess with their mouth that Jesus is Lord, can have peace and rest as we become more and more like Christ each and every day. We see what it took to defeat sin and death. As Jesus tells us, “Go, and sin no more.” He is not here, He has Risen! Praise God, He has Risen!
By: Jason Pauley
