"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. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly, two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. 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? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'" Then they remembered his words." - Luke 24:1-8
As Christians, our calling is to tell and retell the story of the cross in word and deed. We are to become instruments of the reality of the resurrection in the reign of God. Yes, the tomb is empty, and because it is empty, we have life eternally.
The tomb is empty not because of vandals and grave robbers who desecrate graves; not because government officials want to use the grave for something else, it is empty because Jesus Christ our Savior, who came and died had the power to take up his life again. He had the power to conquer death. He had the power to restore the kingdom to us. He had the love, the care and concern for us poor miserable sinners. Christ has risen! Christ has risen -- the tomb is empty.
In the above text we are told of some women followers of Jesus who went to his tomb very early in the morning with spices they had prepared. To their surprise, his body was gone. He was not there. They were instead greeted by "two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning."
The women were surprised by the two strange looking men who addressed them. "Why look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!" They were given three bits of instructions by the strange men -- remember; return to the world; and retell what you have witnessed.
We along with the witnesses to the empty tomb are called to remember. Remember that we are sinners. We have fallen short of the glory of God.
Remember the massive number of people who are starving to death worldwide. We are to remember the hurt we have caused to loved ones and to our neighbors. Remember the disturbing news about the murder in our streets. Remember the disturbing news we receive about the people of our world on a daily basis. Remember the story of Jesus, his life and death. Remember that he suffered for you and for me. Yes, remember.
Friday night he died. Friday night brought about the dawning of the new day. The story did not end on Friday night. On Sunday morning we stood gazing at and empty tomb.
The grave has been robbed of its victory. Death has lost its sting because Christ has risen, Christ is risen -- yes the tomb is empty. Thank God for the empty tomb. Thank God for Jesus Christ who experienced the pains of death. He took our sins upon himself and became sin for us so that we can experience the righteousness of God.
Yes remember, remember the words of Jesus on the night before he was killed. He took the bread and said, "Take and eat; this is my body," and with the wine, "Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood..." [Matt. 26:26-28] As we eat and drink the bread and the wine, we have the assurance that Jesus is with us always.
Don't forget to tell and retell this story. Tell of the Savior that you know. Yes! Retell your experience that others may believe and have eternal life. Amen.
o Reverend Samuel M. Boodle, pastor at The Lutheran Church of Nassau, can be reached at P.O. Box N 4794, Nassau, Bahamas, or telephone 323-4107 or email: lutheranchurch@coralwave.com.
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