We have just been celebrating Easter, one of the most wonderful times in the Christian calendar when we remember that God’s only Son, the Lord Jesus, died on the cross in our place, taking the punishment for our sins, so we might be forgiven.
He was truly dead, and He was buried in a tomb which was guarded by Roman soldiers to stop anybody coming and stealing His body. Jesus lay in the tomb for 3 days and 3 nights.
We read in Luke 24:1-6
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He has risen!’
The women were expecting the tomb to be locked down and guarded:~ they found the tomb open and the stone rolled away
They expected to find the dead body of Jesus:
~ they were met by two angels, very much alive, who said to them,
Why do you look for the living among the dead?
He is not here, He has risen!
This Easter: ~ all church buildings have been closed; no public services have been held
~ we have all been called into lockdown and many have isolated themselves from the world
~ the focus has been on the problem, on the numbers of those who are sick and dying
~ we are told that the world is closing down
But remember: the grave is empty … for Jesus is alive
This is the wonderful Christian message of Easter:
man can shut the church buildings but he cannot kill the Lord Jesus
“For God loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”.
The message of Easter for us is this ~ do not focus on the problems, that only leads to death.
The risen Jesus Himself says to us, “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”
Do you know the Lord Jesus? He is not dead but alive!
May you each know the grace and blessings of the Lord Jesus during these difficult days.
Ron Brickman