Behold – An Empty Tomb And A Risen Savior

1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre.  2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.   3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.   4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.   5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.   6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,   7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.   8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.   9 For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.   10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.
11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre,   12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.   13 And they say unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? She saith unto them, Because they have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him.   14 And when she had thus said, she turned herself back, and saw Jesus standing, and knew not that it was Jesus.   15 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? whom seekest thou? She, supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.   16 Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master.   17 Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.   (John 20:1-17, KJV)

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.  10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.  11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement. (Romans 5: 8-11, KJV)

So celebrate this Eastertide – and ponder the salvation granted therein through Christ’s death for our sins and resurrection to new life.

We have that opportunity for eternal life with Him if we but accept His grace (Ephesians 3:8).

God bless.

– SJS