By Dave Snyder
Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-10 CSB
After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to view the tomb. There was a violent earthquake, because an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and approached the tomb. He rolled back the stone and was sitting on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. The guards were so shaken by fear of him that they became like dead men.
The angel told the women, “Don’t be afraid, because I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here. For he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there.’ Listen, I have told you.”
So, departing quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples the news. Just then Jesus met them and said,“Greetings! ” They came up, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus told them,“Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to leave for Galilee, and they will see me there.”
—–
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they could go and anoint him.
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they went to the tomb at sunrise. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone from the entrance to the tomb for us? ”Looking up, they noticed that the stone — which was very large — had been rolled away.
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side; they were alarmed. “Don’t be alarmed,” he told them. “You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they put him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see him there just as he told you.’”
They went out and ran from the tomb, because trembling and astonishment overwhelmed them. And they said nothing to anyone, since they were afraid.
—–
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. “He is not here, but he has risen! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” And they remembered his words.
Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.
—–
On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
So she went running to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They’ve taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him!”
At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then, following him, Simon Peter also came. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. The wrapping that had been on his head was not lying with the linen cloths but was folded up in a separate place by itself. The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then also went in, saw, and believed. For they did not yet understand the Scripture that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying.
Devotion: Jesus is alive!
Rejoice! Jesus won! The tomb is empty! He conquered both sin and death and sealed within our hearts the guarantee of eternal life!
The anthem of every church must be centered on the resurrection. If there was not resurrection, where would our hope be? How could we face the bad news when there is no guarantee of the good news? Jesus came, suffered, died, and rose again three days later.
Today, I want you to proclaim the good news to all you see. Sing the good news. Share the good news. Live by the good news.
The resurrection is far better than any other hope we can have in this world. When you have a bad day, remind yourself the tomb is empty.
When life is difficult, remind yourself the tomb is empty. When you are weak, sick, scared, or anxious; remind yourself the tomb is empty. He came not only to suffer and die, but to have everlasting life.
By trusting in Him for salvation, you will experience the same everlasting life. Sin and death will not have mastery over you. In His Name, you will overcome. In Him, you will endure. In Him, you will one day experience the glory of heaven where death is not a guest.
Rejoice today! Above Easter lunches, egg hunts, social media pics, and other obligations, make sure you lift high the name of Jesus.
He is the reason why we can celebrate Easter. He is alive. Hallelujah, amen.
Dave Snyder
Dave is the pastor at First Baptist Church of Pensacola. He holds an M.Div. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and a D.Min. from Southeastern Seminary. Dave has served churches in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.