By Lizzie Gatchell
Luke 24:1-9 (ESV)
“1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel. 5 And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.”
The empty tomb is a symbol commonly employed by Christians to remember and hold sacred the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. But what did the empty tomb mean to those who came upon it that first Easter morning? For the women who had gone to the tomb, having been prepared to meet the lifeless body of their Lord, the empty tomb was a shock, a surprise, and ultimately a miracle!
To recognize and understand the perspective of these women is to acknowledge the miraculous gift that is life. Jesus’ life, taken by Pontius Pilate, was precious and miraculous from its very conception. Then, to the surprise of His disciples and followers, Jesus’ life was taken back, conquering death, the devil, and sin forevermore. This is the promise of the empty tomb, the promise that death will come but, life will follow.
In life and in death, we are one with Christ, made holy and precious in His sight by the all-availing sacrifice of His death and resurrection. The life we now live has been redeemed by the blood of Christ on the cross, and the miracle of Christ’s resurrection seals the promise of our resurrection. We will live eternally.
So, what does the empty tomb mean? What promises does it provide? The empty tomb of Christ gives our lives value. It is the reason we confess that we are created, redeemed, and called by God for life. It is the promise of hope in the resurrection – not only of Christ but also of all of His children on that final judgement day. So, this Easter season, remember the power of the empty tomb, the promises that it gives, and the hope in Christ who has conquered the grave forever so that we may have LIFE!